Top 5 Bayer Leverkusen starlets being watched by elite European clubs

For a while now, German football has been seen as one of the hotbeds for player development in European football.

The emphasis on producing players who possess the same skills as players groomed in the main Latinate football-nations (Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal among other nations) where the emphasis was on technique as opposed to the old German mindset that functionality has yielded fruit.

This came about as a result of a steady decline in the performances of both clubs and the national teams in the late 90s.

This coupled with the Bundesliga’s restrictions on team ownership has meant that clubs are majorly owned by the fans and as such, youth development is taken more seriously than in countries with more relaxed ownership structures like England

One club that has been brilliant at this in the last 2 decades has been Bayer Leverkusen. The footballing arm of pharmaceutical giants Bayer AG has, under the leadership of former Germany international striker & coach Rudi Voeller (as sporting director), emerged as a superb platform for emerging talent.

Over the years, the club has seen the likes of Toni Kroos, Arturo Vidal, Heung Min-Son, Andre Schurrle among others come through the revolving doors at the Bay Arena.

There is a very tasty collection of young ones currently tearing up the league in the colours of Die Werkself (The Company XI) and Europe’s elite are already casting admiring glances at some of these youngsters.

Here is a look at 5 of the top young talents who may be moving on quite soon:

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#5 Benjamin Henrichs (German)

The youngster is one of Europe's most promising right-backs

Playing in a position where the requirements seem to be increasing by the season, the academy graduate has made the right-back position his own for Bayer 04 and is expected to be the main challenger alongside Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich for the right-back position for Die Mannschaft.

A speedy defender who is as adept going forward as he is comfortable defending, the 21-year old was reportedly the original target for Pep Guardiola in filling the problematic right-back role at Manchester City before the Catalan genius settled on Kyle Walker for nationality and experience-in-the league reasons.

An accomplished player who combines speed and aggressiveness with the ability to perform effectively in different roles, the thrice-capped German international has not made as many starts as expected this season; only 9 in the Bundesliga so far but he has more than shown his abilities in the 17 times he has appeared.

According to certain reports, he is said to be on Barcelona’s radar, as the club reportedly want someone to compete with Nelson Semedo for the right-back spot.

#4 Kai Havertz (German)

The "new Ozil" has the quality to become a big-time star

Already being likened to Mesut Özil due to the similarities in playing style, the young playmaker is one player that has started his senior footballing career with a bang.

The fresh-faced 18-year-old made his senior debut as recently as October 2016, in the process, becoming Bayer 04’s youngest ever league debutant.

Blessed with a very sweet left foot, the Aachen-born player is a brilliant passer of the ball who has the eyes for a perfect pass and is capable of playing either as a winger or as a playmaker.

He is also the club’s youngest ever goalscorer in league football and looks set for a long, distinguished career.

In 25 games so far this season, he has scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists and is a key component of the Werkself’s drive for a UCL spot.

He has been linked to Liverpool as well as the club reportedly invited him to their Melwood training ground before the youngster signed his first professional contract with Bayer, as per reports.

#3 Jonathan Tah (German)

The towering centre-back has been likened to Jerome Boateng

Like national teammate Leroy Sané, Tah is of dual heritage with an Ivorian father and German mother.

The towering centre-back seems to have been around forever but aged just 22, the towering German international has a long road ahead of him and if his early form is anything to go by, the road will be long but decorated with glory.

Deceptively calm for someone who is 6'4 in height, he has been praised by several coaches for his assertiveness; speed and clear thinking that help him make good decisions even in the face of approaching danger.

He has been hailed in the German press as the natural successor to Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng and given the brilliance of the Bayern star, Tah certainly has a long way to go.

Like most of his fellow Bayer 04 starlets, clubs across Europe have been looking the way of the towering star and despite recently signing a new 5-year deal to stay put at the Bay Arena, it is said that Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing him as a potential replacement for wantaway star Toby Aldeweireld.

He has made 26 appearances this season and for a centre-back, he has an impressive 2 assists coupled with his good defensive stats of 1.7 tackles and interceptions per game.

#2 Leon Bailey (Jamaican)

The hottest prospect in the Leverkusen stable, Bailey could fetch a very tidy sum if sold

Such has been Bailey’s level of performances this season that in footballing circles, it is no longer seen as a matter of if but when he makes the step up to a bigger club.

Following his mid-season move from Belgian club KRC Genk in January 2017 for €20 million, he took his time settling in as he failed to find the net in the 8 matches he played in the league last season.

After a proper pre-season and integration into the Werkself team, Bailey has come into his own this season.

Alongside his fellow tyros, Bailey’s abilities have seen Bayer 04 recover in style from last season’s disappointing performances and are firmly in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot.

Constantly switching flanks with Brandt, his speed, dribbling, and eye for goals and assists have “wow-ed” the German public and scouts from the big clubs as well.

With 11 goals and 5 assists so far this season, Bailey has been one of the stars in a very impressive season for Bayer 04’s new generation of quality youngsters.

The young man certainly has a good head on his shoulders and will be looking to finish the season strongly by helping his team qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The list of Europe’s elite currently looking at Bailey is impressive, as Manchester United and Chelsea, are among the clubs said to have reportedly declared an interest in the Jamaican star, according to reports.

#1 Julian Brandt (German)

Brandt has continued his upwards progression this season

A rising star of German football, Brandt’s arrival on the scene has been like a breath of fresh air given how the club struggled to replace Schurrle and Min-Son when both were sold to Premier League clubs

The 21-year-old has lit up the Bundesliga with his pace, dribbling skills and overall contributions to his Leverkusen side.

The latest right-footed winger to emerge at the Bay Arena (following in the footsteps of players like Andre Schurrle, Heung Min-Son, Karim Bellarabi amongst others), Brandt is very comfortable playing on either flank or just behind the main striker.

Like most youngsters, he is still a bit inconsistent in his application and final delivery and has sat out certain games this season when the team has needed a different skill set from that which he possesses.

With 29 appearances in all competitions this season, he has hit a modest total of 8 goals and 2 assists.

He played a big part in Germany’s Confederations Cup win in 2017 and should he continue his upward trajectory, it will be difficult for Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Löw to drop the youth product from Leverkusen from the final 23-man squad for the World Cup.

According to reports, he has been linked to Bayern Munich and Liverpool among other clubs and rumours are that he could move for as low as £26.6 million due to a clause in his contract though it has also been said that he is close to agreeing to a new deal to extend his time with Leverkusen.