Andrich Dismisses Transfer Rumors and Eyes Captaincy in Leverkusen

Robert Andrich has heard the rumours. He just isn’t interested in entertaining them.

Speaking to Kicker.de, the Leverkusen midfielder made it clear he sees no reason to push for a move while he still feels wanted at the club, drawing a firm line under speculation about his future.

"Of course, I pick up on it through a few channels," he said, acknowledging the noise around potential transfers. "But externally it's not just about me being talked about, but also about others. As long as I don't have the feeling that the club wants to get rid of me – and I don't have that feeling right now – I don't concern myself with a transfer."

No drama. No coded message. Just a senior player nailing his colours to the mast.

Captaincy question hangs in the air

The 29-year-old also addressed his role in the leadership group, making no secret of his ambition to remain at the top of the hierarchy.

"I see myself as number one as soon as I'm confirmed in that role," Andrich stated. "Of course, I'm assuming for now that I'll remain captain. I haven't heard anything else yet."

The armband, though, is not yet officially assigned for the coming campaign. Andrich was quick to point out that nothing has been rubber-stamped.

"But until nothing is officially communicated, anything can still happen. Eddy [Tapsoba] and I have worn the armband last – it could be decided between us."

It’s a frank admission that the decision is still open, but also a clear signal: Andrich feels ready to lead again.

From turbulence to stability

His words land in a dressing room that has lived through a chaotic spell on the touchline.

After Xabi Alonso’s departure, Erik ten Hag lasted just three matches before being replaced by Kasper Hjulmand, who has since also moved on. The revolving door in the dugout unsettled the squad and fed the uncertainty around key players.

Now Carles Martinez Novell has stepped in, and the mood, by all accounts, has shifted. The constant churn has given way to something more stable, more measured.

Under the new coach, the atmosphere within the Werkself camp is described as far more settled than during last summer’s upheaval. That sense of calm is exactly what a figure like Andrich thrives on.

A united dressing room, with a warning

Andrich painted a picture of a squad that has rediscovered its balance – but he also issued a reminder of what went wrong before.

"We currently have a very good atmosphere in the team; there's no unrest like there was last summer, when there were so many changes," he said.

The lesson from that period is clear in his mind. When the pressure rises, Leverkusen cannot afford to fracture again.

"In difficult phases, we need to stick together more in the future – and put ourselves in a position to simply strike back after 15, 20 tough minutes."

That is the standard he is setting: a team that bends but doesn’t break, a group that responds to setbacks with resistance rather than doubt.

Andrich has no intention of walking away from that fight. The only question now is whether he will be leading it with the armband on his sleeve.