Bayer Leverkusen wants to recall Kennet Eichhorn after illness crisis

X‑Factor international break New Bayer‑plan: When Bayer Leverkusen completed the transfer of Kennet Eichhorn in the summer, the signing was considered a real coup, and the club sees it as a strategic gain, because the 17‑year‑old talent is regarded as the biggest in German football and Leverkusen beat out Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich for him.

Soon after the euphoria, Eichhorn fell ill with a metabolic disorder and had to be treated in hospital.

The 17‑year‑old player therefore could not take part in football for an extended period, but he is now training again.

Bayer Leverkusen follows a clear plan that has now been adjusted because Eichhorn is making enormous progress.

According to Laut, the goal is for the midfielder to be fully fit again in preparation for the second half of the season.

He should then fight for his place in the squad, but without pressure, because patience remains the club's top mantra.

Variables on the return

Open variables still include how quickly he reaches the high training level, how he copes with the intense style of coach Carles Martinez, and whether the right balance between reason and courage is found.

The current international break facilitates the return because the training group is smaller and the intensity as well as the pace are lower.

Coach Carles Martinez emphasized that Eichhorn is happy to be back on the training ground, to wear the jerseys with the club crest and to feel part of the team, for example when joking with teammates.

The material documenting the situation comes from Jörg Schüler.