Andrich Confirms Commitment to Bayer Leverkusen as Captain

Robert Andrich has drawn a firm line under rumours about his future, insisting he has no intention of leaving as long as he feels wanted at Bayer Leverkusen – and making it clear he still sees himself as captain.

Speaking to Kicker.de, the midfielder acknowledged he is not blind to the speculation swirling around him, but made it equally clear it will not dictate his next move.

"Of course, I pick up on it through a few channels," Andrich said. "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 transfer games. No coded messages. Andrich’s stance is simple: if Leverkusen value him, he stays.

The 29-year-old also addressed his role in the hierarchy after a period in which the captain’s armband has not always felt nailed down. For now, he believes it still belongs on his arm.

"I see myself as number one as soon as I'm confirmed in that role," he said. "Of course, I'm assuming for now that I'll remain captain. I haven't heard anything else yet. 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 is an honest admission: confidence in his status, tempered by the reality that decisions can change quickly at a club that has just lived through a chaotic spell on the touchline.

The calm in his words contrasts sharply with the turbulence of recent months. Xabi Alonso’s departure triggered a managerial carousel that saw Erik ten Hag last only three matches before making way for Kasper Hjulmand. Hjulmand has since moved on as well, leaving Carles Martinez Novell to pick up the pieces and restore order.

Under Martinez Novell, that sense of order finally seems to be returning. The mood in the dressing room, by Andrich’s account, is unrecognisable from the unrest of last summer.

"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 explained. "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 last line cuts to the heart of Leverkusen’s next step. The chaos off the pitch has eased; the question now is whether the squad, led by voices like Andrich’s, can turn that stability into the kind of resilience that decides tight games and, ultimately, seasons.