Bayer Leverkusen First-Team Squad
Carles Martínez becomes Leverkusen’s third head coach in a year, tasked with rebuilding after a summer of change that saw Piero Hincapié leave for Arsenal. Captain Robert Andrich anchors the midfield, set-piece king Alejandro Grimaldo bombs forward from left-back, and Czech striker Patrik Schick — the club’s talisman and top scorer — leads the line. With Edmond Tapsoba marshalling the defence and creative talents Malik Tillman and Eliesse Ben Seghir in support, the Werkself have the quality to challenge for the Champions League places again.
Squad correct as of the early 2026/27 pre-season under new head coach Carles Martínez. Piero Hincapié (Arsenal) is among the summer departures. Squad numbers may change before the transfer window closes on 1 September — check back for the latest Bayer Leverkusen signings.
The Werkself Way
Founded by Bayer factory workers, the club blends smart recruitment, elite youth development and progressive, possession-based football — a model that produced Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and a first-ever title.
Legacy of Greatness
The 2024 Bundesliga title, two DFB-Pokals, the 1988 UEFA Cup and an unbeaten league campaign for the ages — the Werkself finally turned decades of near-misses into history.
The Martínez Project
Spaniard Carles Martínez arrives from Toulouse with a reputation for exciting, front-foot football, charged with restoring the Werkself to the Bundesliga’s top table after a turbulent season.
Key Men at the BayArena
These are the Bayer Leverkusen stars who will define Carles Martínez’s first season — the names to track in every fixture preview, fantasy draft and Leverkusen betting market this campaign.
Patrik Schick
The Czech marksman is a lethal, big-game finisher and Leverkusen’s chief source of goals. When Schick is fit and firing, the Werkself have the firepower to trouble anyone in Germany.
Alejandro Grimaldo
One of Europe’s most productive full-backs. The Spaniard’s free-kicks, crossing and goal threat from the left make him a constant creator and a genuine match-winner from dead balls.
Edmond Tapsoba
The Burkina Faso international is a ball-playing defender who anchors the backline. His pace, reading of the game and progressive passing are central to how Leverkusen build from the back.
Malik Tillman
The USA international brings goals and assists from the number ten role. Tillman’s dribbling and eye for a killer pass make him the creative link between midfield and Schick up front.
Robert Andrich
The Germany international and club captain is the combative heartbeat of the side. Andrich’s aggression, tackling and leadership set the tone for everything Martínez wants to build.
Eliesse Ben Seghir
Signed from Monaco, the Morocco international is a fearless, direct dribbler who can beat a man and create from nothing — the spark to unlock stubborn Bundesliga defences.
Home of the Werkself
Leverkusen play at the BayArena, a compact, modern arena in the small industrial city that gives the club its name. Holding just over 30,000, it may be one of the Bundesliga’s smaller grounds, but on European and title-race nights it becomes a cauldron of red-and-black noise.
As a “works club” tied to the Bayer pharmaceutical giant, Leverkusen have long been unfairly labelled a “plastic” club by rivals — yet the Werkself have built one of the most respected talent pipelines in world football, developing or elevating stars like Michael Ballack, Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong before selling them on at huge profit.
The 2024 title finally gave the fanbase the moment they had waited a century for — an open-top parade through the city and the joy of shedding the “Neverkusen” tag for good. Now the BayArena faithful demand the club stays among Germany’s elite rather than slipping back into the shadow of Bayern Munich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Bayer Leverkusen manager now?
Carles Martínez, appointed from Toulouse on 1 July 2026 — the club’s third head coach in a year after Erik ten Hag and Kasper Hjulmand.
Have Leverkusen ever won the Bundesliga?
Yes — Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023/24 under Xabi Alonso, going the entire league season unbeaten and completing a domestic double.
Why were Leverkusen called “Neverkusen”?
The nickname came from years of finishing runners-up — most famously in 2002, when they lost out in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League final in the same season.
Who is the Bayer Leverkusen captain?
Germany midfielder Robert Andrich is the club captain, leading a squad reshaped after the sale of Piero Hincapié to Arsenal.
What European competition are Leverkusen in?
Leverkusen finished 6th in the 2025/26 Bundesliga and qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League.
What is Leverkusen’s stadium called?
Leverkusen play at the BayArena in Leverkusen, a modern stadium with a capacity of just over 30,000, named after the club’s parent company Bayer.
From BayArena title races to Europa League nights, every Bayer Leverkusen match is analysed by our AI engine across the 2026/27 season. Head to AI Pro Predictions for the sharpest soccer predictions online, covering the Bundesliga, Champions League, Europa League and World Cup 2026 — and bookmark this page for the latest Leverkusen squad news, stats and betting angles.