Leverkusen Team News - Soccer

Luca Erlein - Signs with Leverkusen Erlein signed with Bayer Leverkusen from Hoffenheim through June 2030, according to the club. "Luca is a highly talented, intelligent and physically strong defender," Sporting dire...

Impact Erlein made 31 third division appearances for Hoffenheim's reserve side last season, contributing five assists, having come through the club's academy since age 11 and helped the U19 side win the double in 2023/24. The 19 year old right back made his professional debut in January 2025 in a 4-3 win over Anderlecht, and recently played every minute of Germany's run to the U19 European Championship final, where they lost to Spain alongside fellow Leverkusen players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Out two to three weeks Ben Seghir will be sidelined for at least two to three weeks due to a muscle injury in his right thigh, according to BILD.

Impact Ben Seghir will miss important preseason sessions as a result, though he is still expected to travel with the squad to Leverkusen's training camp in Blankenhain from Aug. 1 to 7, where he will complete individual rehab and conditioning work rather than full training. Ben Seghir had a good first week, therefore this new setback is a blow and the timing is especially unfortunate given the Moroccan winger was looking to make a fresh impression under new head coach Carles Martinez Novell after an inconsistent debut season with the Werkself, with this setback now costing him valuable time in the competition for a starting spot.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Eliesse Ben Seghir - Ruled out indefinitely Ben Seghir (undisclosed) picked up an injury during the warmup before Saturday's friendly against Baumberg and is out until further notice, according to the club.

Impact Ben Seghir had already been sidelined for a stretch at the end of last season with an ankle issue before eventually working his way back into the rotation. This latest setback is a new blow just as preseason gets underway, and further details on the nature and severity of the injury will be needed before his timeline for a return becomes clear.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Picks up potential injury Quansah left the field in Saturday's match against France after receiving treatment for a physical issue.

Impact Quansah has ended his 2026 World Cup experience with a fitness concern, the severity of which is currently unknown. The versatile defender could consequently be a doubt for the start of the Bundesliga season with Bayer, but he'll have plenty of time to work on his recovery, possibly missing the offseason friendlies if he's dealing with a muscular problem.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Kennet Eichhorn - Not in squad due to infection Eichhorn (illness) has trained with reduced intensity during the week due to a mild infection and is not participating in Saturday's friendly against SF Baumberg, according to the...

Impact Eichhorn's absence is tied to an illness rather than an injury, and the mild nature of the issue suggests a quick return to full training is likely. His status for Leverkusen's next preseason fixture against Offenbach on July 25 should become clearer once he is symptom free and back to full intensity work.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Nathan Tella - Makes squad sheet, fit to play Tella (undisclosed) makes the squad sheet and is fit to play in Saturday's friendly against SF Baumberg, the club posted.

Impact Tella missed 28 official matches last season due to injury, a difficult stretch that coincided with Leverkusen missing out on Champions League qualification. His inclusion for the preseason friendly follows recent comments in which he described himself as fully recovered and in strong form, and a healthy return positions him to push for a regular role in the attack under new coach Carles Martinez heading into the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Back from suspension Quansah is no longer suspended and is an option for thrid place match against France.

Impact Quansah has cleared his suspension after an unfortunate upgrade that saw him miss two World Cup games instead of one, set to face France in the third-place match on Saturday. With Reece James (hamsting) struggling with fitness and John Stones (concussion) uncertain for Saturday, there is a solid chance the Bayern Leverkusen defender earns time. He has started in both of his appearances for the team at this World Cup, playing 117 minutes in those two outings.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nathan Tella - Recovered, in strong form Tella (undisclosed) has recovered from his injuries and appears to be in strong form heading into preseason, according to the player, per Bild. "I feel good now. I've been able to...

Impact Tella missed 28 official matches last season due to injury, a stretch that also coincided with Leverkusen missing out on Champions League qualification, and the winger described the period as difficult. Coach Carles Martinez reportedly called Tella during the offseason to discuss the frustrations of last season and express confidence in getting the best out of him. Tella is expected to push for a regular role after saying he feels fully recovered and is aiming to avoid the fitness setbacks that disrupted his previous campaign.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Terrier - Trains fully, cleared of injury Terrier has cleared his hamstring injury and is training in full during the first week of preseason with Bayer Leverkusen, the club posted.

Impact Terrier finished last season with four goals and one assist across 672 Bundesliga minutes before a hamstring injury against Heidenheim ended his campaign early, cutting short a promising late surge in form. Reports suggest he could be closing in on a departure from Leverkusen this summer, with Marseille and his former coach Bruno Genesio said to be keen on bringing him in, meaning his fully healthy start to preseason could carry added significance amid the transfer speculation surrounding his future.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Handed two-match suspension Quansah received a two-match suspension from FIFA following his red card in England's World Cup victory over Mexico, according to Rob Harris from SkyNews.

Impact Quansah was initially expected to miss only the quarterfinal clash against Norway after being sent off for a late challenge in Sunday's 3-2 win. However, FIFA has extended the punishment to two matches, meaning the defender will also be unavailable for a potential semifinal should England advance. The suspension further complicates England's options at right-back, where injuries have already sidelined Reece James and Djed Spence during parts of the tournament. Quansah will now have to wait until a possible final to feature again at the World Cup.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Malik Tillman - Scores another free kick Monday Tillman scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Monday's 4-1 defeat against Belgium. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 69th minute.

Impact Tillman produced his side's only goal of the match through a deflected free-kick shot which leveled the scoring in the 31st minute. The midfielder finished the tournament in good form, tallying two goals in the knockout phase and adding to his lone assist across five appearances (four starts). Other than his set-piece upside, he enjoyed some freedom to attack from a central spot throughout the competition.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Sent off in round of 16 win Quansah was shown a straight red card during Sunday's 3-2 win over Mexico.

Impact Quansah was chosen at right-back due to the injuries of Reece James (hamstring) and Djed Spence, but the Leverkusen man paid a high price for his late tackle in the 54th minute, leaving England with 10 men for the remainder of the match. He's now suspended for the quarter-final clash against Norway and may return to World Cup action if his side advance to the semifinals. This issue will worsen a difficult right-back situation for the Three Lions, though Spence could be back for the upcoming match. Otherwise, Declan Rice may be deployed in the defense while Quansah serves his ban.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Starting against Mexico Quansah (ankle) is in the starting lineup for Sunday's round of 16 clash against Mexico.

Impact Quansah returned to training in recent days after overcoming a slight ankle issue, and he benefited from the absences of Reece James (hamstring) and Djed Spence (undisclosed) to immediately get the nod at right-back. This selection means Declan Rice will remain in midfield, and Quansah will likely focus on defensive duties while possibly delivering a few crosses from the right flank.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Ben Bobzien - Returning to B04 after loan Bobzien has returned to Leverkusen from a season-long loan deal at Dynamo Dresden.

Impact Bobzien was limited to just 15 outings in the 2. Bundesliga with Dresden, but he was productive and finished with nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in under 1,200 minutes of action. Bobzien might not be ready to play regularly at Leverkusen in the 2026/27 campaign, so another loan in the summer can't be ruled out.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Mbamba - Returning from loan Mbamba has returned to Leverkusen following his season-and-a-half loan spell at FCV Dender.

Impact Mbamba joined Dender on loan on Feb. 2, 2025, but the deal was further extended for the entire 2025/26 campaign before the end of the September transfer window. Mbamba made 37 appearances across all competitions for Dender in 2025/26, but another loan move might be on the cards for the promising 21-year-old midfielder just so he can keep playing regularly.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht - Back from loan spell Alfa-Ruprecht has returned to Leverkusen after his season-long loan spell at Bochum.

Impact Alfa-Ruprecht saw regular playing time for Bochum and made 26 league appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, tallying three goals and two assists while logging over 1,200 minutes of play. Alfa-Ruprecht remains a prospect, and he's ready for a first-team role at Leverkusen yet, so another loan in 2026/27 can't be out of the question.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Back training, expected to be fit Quansah (ankle) has worked with the squad and is ready to be an option for Sunday's clash against Mexico, Henry Winter of World Soccer reports.

Impact Quansah was questionable heading into the round of 16 match, but he'll be hopeful to help the team at least as a substitute option. He made one start in the group stage, acting as a right-back in that game, so he could offer back to Djed Spence, especially if Reece James (hamstring) remains out in upcoming fixtures.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Alejo Sarco - Back to Leverkusen Sarco has returned to Bayer Leverkusen after his loan at Borussia Monchengladbach expired.

Impact Sarco joined Gladbach in January on a loan without a buy option, arriving as a 20-year-old developmental prospect after limited first-team opportunities at Leverkusen, where his minutes had been restricted. His time at Gladbach was similarly light on chances, appearing mainly off the bench across the back half of the season as the club looked to add depth and energy up front. With the loan now expired, Sarco is back with Leverkusen for pre-season, where he'll again have to compete for minutes in a crowded attacking group, making a fresh loan elsewhere before the window closes a real possibility.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Availability still uncertain Quansah (ankle) has stepped up his recovery ahead of Sunday's round of 16 clash against Mexico, though it remains unclear whether he will be available for the fixture, according to...

Impact Quansah missed the win over DR Congo but has been progressing well, with coach Thomas Tuchel previously describing him as slightly ahead of Reece James in his recovery. His availability will be determined over the coming days as England's medical staff assess his readiness ahead of the Mexico clash. If Reece James (hamstring) and Quansah had to miss this clash again, Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence are the two likely options to start at right-back.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Maza - Three shots in 2-0 loss Maza registered three shots (zero on goal) in Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

Impact Maza was unable to put any of his shots on target as Algeria lost 2-0 to Switzerland and were knocked out of the tournament. His best chance came in the final moments of the first half when he dragged his left-footed shot wide. He took three shots or more in the last three matches and put three of his 10 shots on target. He also created three chances in the two games before this, but didn't create any in this game.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Victor Boniface - Returns from loan, already training Boniface has returned to Bayer Leverkusen following the conclusion of his loan spell at Werder Bremen, with the club confirming he has already reported for training ahead of the 20...

Impact Boniface made 11 Bundesliga appearances for Bremen, contributing two assists across 325 minutes before a knee injury required surgery and effectively ended his loan campaign prematurely. The Nigerian striker now returns to Leverkusen having previously scored 22 goals and provided nine assists in 42 Bundesliga appearances for the club, and will look to put a difficult injury-disrupted season behind him as he pushes for a regular starting role under new coach Carles Martinez Novell heading into the new campaign.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Malik Tillman - Puts home free kick Tillman scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Wednesday's 2-0 win versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Tillman would step up to take a free kick in the 82nd minute Wednesday and would execute his chance at net with precision, scoring to go two up and put the game to bed. This gives the midfielder his first goal of the tournament, although it is not his first goal contribution, earning an assist in the opener. This is a good sign for the USMNT as they head into the round of 16 without their lead forward, Folarin Balogun, as it shows they have other goal scorers in the squad.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Recovery progressing well Quansah (ankle) is getting closer to a return and is slightly ahead of Reece James in his recovery, though he remains unavailable for Wednesday's round of 32 clash against DR Congo...

Impact Quansah's progression is an encouraging sign for England heading into the knockout stage, with coach Thomas Tuchel expressing confidence that both right-backs could be available should the Three Lions advance further in the tournament. Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence are the likeliest candidates to cover at right-back against DR Congo in his continued absence.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Jarell Quansah - Won't face DR Congo Quansah (ankle) has been ruled out of England's round of 32 clash against DR Congo, according to Rob Dorsett, per SkySportsNews.

Impact Quansah's World Cup debut was cut short against Panama after twisting his ankle in the second half, and with Reece James also unavailable due to a hamstring injury, England face significant depth concerns at right-back heading into the knockout stage. Djed Spence is expected to start in his place, with Ezri Konsa shifting to right-back and John Stones partnering Marc Guehi in central defense among the alternatives coach Thomas Tuchel could consider.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Maza - Takes three shots versus Austria Maza generated three shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-3 draw versus Austria.

Impact Maza co-led Algeria in shots during the draw that helped both teams advance to the World Cup's Round of 32. The midfielder also won the most duels (seven) for his side and logged an impressive six successful take-ons on offense. The started in all their three group stage games, but did not score or assist.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

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