Bayer Leverkusen have carried the unflattering ‘Neverkusen’ tag since the turn of the millennium.
If falling short of the title in 2000 was devastating, then 2002 was heartbreak of the most sombre degree. The trophy-shy club, spearheaded by a wonderful young core, saw their dreams of a treble fade in the space of three gut-wrenching weeks.
Back-to-back defeats in April allowed Borussia Dortmund to win the Bundesliga and Schalke battered them 4-2 in the DFB-Pokal final before Zinedine Zidane scored that volley to deny Leverkusen Champions League glory.
Die Werkself have so often been the nearly men; the bridesmaid without ever being the bride. Their 2002 collapse has long been the source of mockery. If they couldn’t get over the line then, when will they ever?
It’s this context, combined with the sheer dominance Bayern Munich have asserted over the past decade, which made Leverkusen’s 3-0 victory over the Rekordmeister in February so significant. The eternal runners-up have surrendered margins greater than five points in the past, but there’s something different about Xabi Alonso’s iteration.
Tactically versatile and laden with talent across the pitch, Bayer Leverkusen are comfortably the best team Germany has to offer. Cruelly, however, the club must prepare for a summer decimation. Alonso is regarded as the hottest coaching property on the planet and is touted to be Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool, while an array of their playing personnel is bound to garner interest.
Here are five Leverkusen players Premier League clubs should have their eyes on.
Suitable clubs: Manchester United, Newcastle
Potential fee: £60m
Tottenham Hotspur seriously considered moving for Tapsoba last summer before opting for the superior athleticism of Micky van de Ven. While the Dutchman has proven to be revelatory in north London, many supporters were upset at missing out on the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
Tapsoba, who missed a relatively brief period due to AFCON commitments, has primarily operated on the right of Alonso’s back three.
The Spaniard’s commitment to short passing and press-baiting has reigned in Tapsoba as a progressive passer, although he remains proficient when aiming to drive Leverkusen up the pitch, His function on the right side affords him plenty of time to pick passes into the half-space and carry the ball upfield.
Defensively, the Burkina Faso international is physical but more…
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