Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen can win Bundesliga title, says Matthaus
Ask Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting managing director Simon Rolfes about the club’s philosophy and he will tell you that the focus is on young and quick players with resale potential. But that was not the guiding principle of their recruitment in the summer.
In came Granit Xhaka from Arsenal, now 31, to bring experience to the midfield. Leverkusen activated the release clause of Jonas Hofmann, also 31, to bring him in from Borussia Monchengladbach. Alex Grimaldo, 28, arrived on a free transfer from Benfica.
"Bayer Leverkusen did not buy a young player like Florian Wirtz," says Lothar Matthaus. He is referring to the precocious fan favourite who is flying again following his return of injury and someone Matthaus rates alongside Jamal Musiala as the future of German football.
"I think the Leverkusen people who signed the players had been listening to Xabi Alonso and they made the perfect transfer window. The summer preparation was the key for him to change the team, change the mentality, with these experienced players.
"Before, they were working with only the young generation. Now Xabi has thought, I don't need the young generation player, I want to win a title, and for this I need experience." It was a bold ambition but Leverkusen now sit top of the Bundesliga table.
They are a team transformed under Alonso, playing an exciting brand of football that has taken them from near the bottom of the table when he arrived early last season. Lifting them up to sixth last season was a triumph. But this is something else entirely.
Leverkusen are top of their Europa League group, the only team in the competition to boast a perfect record, with no side having scored more. They are, perhaps, the favourites to win the domestic cup after Bayern
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
