Who are the new Bundesliga champions? Three Czechs, a supertalent and other hot commodities

Bayer Leverkusen became Bundesliga champions at the weekend. Not only did they do so for the first time in their history, but they have also not lost in the season so far and broke Bayern’s 11-year championship streak. Who are the individual Bayer players who helped the team to the title?

Goalkeepers

Lukas Hradecky – 34 years old

The Bratislava native who grew up in Finland is the captain of the championship team. A beer lover who is very close to the Czech trio. One of Bayer’s absolute leaders and very popular in the cabin.

Matěj Kovář – 23 years old

Goalkeeper for cup matches. The former Spartan goalkeeper is excellent with his feet. He has a good relationship with Hradecky, both support each other and form a very good and reliable pair.

Niklas Lomb – 30 years old

A fighter who has been continuously at Leverkusen since 2008 except for a loan spell. He is a top three goalkeeper and has no ambition to jump up the hierarchy. Important for the internal climate in the cabin.

Defence

Jonathan Tah – 28 years old

A linguistic talent who also conducts his teammates in English, French or Spanish. Listens to African music before matches. He has taken his performances to a very top level and is also part of the national team’s core.

Edmond Tapsoba – 25 years old

A defender from Burkina Faso who likes to contribute. He arrived in 2020 from the Portuguese league for €18 million. If he leaves Leverkusen, it will be for 90 or 100 million euros. That’s how high his exit clause is.

Odilon Kossounou – 23 years old

He won the prize for least favourite opposing player in training. The African champion with Ivory Coast is rather quiet and shy in civilian life. On the pitch, however, he exudes the complete opposite.

Piero Hincapié – 22 years old

At the age of 18, he left his native Ecuador to play football in Argentina. The only left-handed player capable of playing in the centre of defence. He has managed to avoid unnecessary sending offs.

Josip Stanišić – 24 years old

Bayer borrowed him from Munich because they thought he could be useful. He is capable of playing wingback on both flanks or even in a three-man midfield. He scored against his benefactor Bayern, where he is likely to return after the season.

Alejandro Grimaldo – 28 years old

Excellent left footed shot, great direct kicks. Often retreats to the middle of the pitch where he acts as a bit of a hidden playmaker. Plus, he came for free. Beat his teammates in go-karting at summer camp.

Jeremie Frimpong – 23 years old

When he came from Celtic, only football connoisseurs knew him. Now the whole of Europe knows and wants him. Extremely fast, tireless, tireless and productive too. It’s a wonder he doesn’t play more often for the Dutch national team.

Backup

Granit Xhaka – 31 years old

One of the main leaders of the team. Arrived in the summer after his Arsenal anabasis. He has become the coach’s extended arm, a player important for setting the rhythm of the game in the middle of the park. He has brought a winning mentality and the team follows him.

Exequiel Palacios – 25 years old

Argentine world champion who combines technique with dynamism and aggression. The king of the press, a bulldog who despite his smaller stature doesn’t back down from any fight and adds an offensive superstructure. Ideal eight.

Robert Andrich – 29 years old

Hertha alumnus who made his way to Leverkusen via Dresden, Wiesbaden, Heidenheim and Union. He also belongs to the German national team. He’s a similar type to Palacios, incisive, but with an offensive edge.

Nathan Tella – 24 years old

A very versatile player who can play as a right wingback or in a more offensive position. A bit of a Frimpong clone. Leverkusen’s most expensive summer transfer. Came from Southampton for 20 million euros.

Florian Wirtz – 20 years old

A superstar of German and world football. After this season, his price will rise even higher. Technically brilliant, his football looks easy. His sister is a footballer and plays in the Women’s Bundesliga for Werder Bremen.

Jonas Hofmann – 31 years old

At the age of 30, this offensive all-rounder saw his transfer from Mönchengladbach to Leverkusen. He is not one of the fastest players in the team, but he plays with experience, a flair for combination and good vision, which makes him important for Bayer.

Nadiem Amiri – 27 years old

He wanted to leave Leverkusen in the summer but bit the bullet and got some game time in the autumn. However, he definitely disappeared in the winter and is now pulling for Mainz’s rescue.

Attack

Amine Adli – 23 years old

A very quick and direct player who may not be one of Leverkusen’s biggest stars at first glance, but he is very useful for his team. He could score more goals. In civilian life, a very friendly person.

Adam Hložek – 21 years old

He didn’t get many chances in the big competition. Maybe he would benefit from some guest appearances. On the other hand, when he came to Leverkusen, it was a team on the borderline of 5th place in the table. Few expected Bayer to rise like this under Alonso.

Victor Boniface – 23 years old

He was excellent in the autumn. Whatever he kicked ended in a goal, he dealt with situations well, played well as a team, and was able to tank his way through several opponents. He’s been slowed by injury, but still has a lot of potential.

Patrik Schick – 28 years old

He’s had a really long medical break. During the season he became a late goal specialist. Not only Bayer hopes that Schick stays healthy. He has an extraordinary player and striker in him.

Borja Iglesias – 31 years old

Back in the autumn, he played for Betis against Sparta in the Europa League. After Bonifacio’s injury, Bayer brought him in as an alternative to Schick. One of the few players in the squad who hasn’t scored a goal this season.

Source: Kicker, X – Bayer Leverkusen