More than their manager: Three Bayer Leverkusen stars to watch out for in West Ham tie


When West Ham take on Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the spotlight will firmly be on Xabi Alonso.

The former Liverpool midfielder has established himself as one of the best young coaches in Europe since taking charge of the German side.

Alonso has guided Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga where they are 10 points clear of Bayern Munich. As a result, the Spaniard has been linked with a big move this summer, either to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield or Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

All eyes will be on Alonso when he faces West Ham, but there is plenty of talent in his squad for the Hammers to watch out for.

Victor Boniface

The Nigeria striker has been out of action since January after injuring his groin just days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations. Before then, Boniface had been flying for Leverkusen, scoring 10 goals and laying on seven assists in the Bundesliga.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation since moving to Leverkusen last summer from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and was voted Bundesliga Rookie of the Month four times in a row before being struck down by injury.

Victor Boniface should return from injury in time to face West Ham (Getty Images)

Leverkusen have coped without him, but they will be delighted to welcome him back given the pace and power he brings to their forward line. Alonso has spoken positively about the striker’s recovery and it is hoped he will be back playing before the end of the month.

Boniface’s performances have, unsurprisingly, attracted interest from other clubs and he has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Florian Wirtz

There are few players more exciting in Europe than Wirtz, who is destined for a big-money move at some stage. Scouts from all of Europe’s wealthiest clubs have watched the attacking midfielder and Leverkusen face a fight to keep him.

Still only 20, Wirtz has been in stunning form this season and only Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has created more chances from open play in Europe’s top five leagues. Wirtz has also scored nine goals and laid on 14 assists for Leverkusen, excelling as the team’s No10 and primary playmaker.

Florian Wirtz is a big threat (AFP via Getty Images)

“The things he does, I can’t teach him these things,” Alonso said earlier this season. “There are only a few players in the Bundesliga who can do this.”

If West Ham are to find a way of getting past Leverkusen, then they must work out a way to keep Wirtz quiet – which is something few teams have managed.

Jeremie Frimpong

It is hard to think of a full-back in Europe right now who is quite as exciting as Frimpong.

Under Alonso, Frimpong has the licence to bomb forward – and he is making the most of that. The 23-year-old is lighting up the Bundesliga and has scored a staggering 10 goals this season.

Jeremie Frimpong has been a leading light for Bayer (AP)

The Dutch international essentially acts as an auxiliary winger and that makes him a nightmare for defences to pick up.

After coming through the ranks at Manchester City’s academy, Frimpong left them in 2019 to join Celtic. In 2021, he made the move to Leverkusen and under Alonso he has begun to showcase the potential he showed in his youth.

It will surely not be long before he is back on the biggest stage.



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