Andrich Dismisses Transfer Rumors and Eyes Captaincy at Leverkusen
Robert Andrich has heard the rumours. He just isn’t entertaining them.
Speaking to Kicker.de, the midfielder made it clear that, for now, a move away from Leverkusen is not on his mind as long as he feels wanted inside the club.
"Of course, I pick up on it through a few channels, but externally it's not just about me being talked about, but also about others," Andrich said. "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 ambiguity there. The message is simple: if Leverkusen value him, he stays.
Captaincy battle, but Andrich backs himself
The 29-year-old also addressed his role in the hierarchy. After a period of change on the touchline and in the dressing room, the armband is still a live topic, but Andrich is clear about how he sees it.
"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."
That last line underlines the reality: there is competition, and the decision is not yet sealed. Still, Andrich is not speaking like a man bracing for demotion. He is speaking like a player who expects to lead.
From chaos to calm under Carles Martinez Novell
His words land against the backdrop of a turbulent spell on the bench. Xabi Alonso’s departure triggered a chaotic sequence in which Erik ten Hag survived only three matches before being replaced by Kasper Hjulmand, who has also since moved on. The revolving door did not stop until Carles Martinez Novell took charge.
Under Martinez Novell, the mood around the Werkself dressing room is described as far more settled than during last summer’s upheaval. The constant noise has eased. The squad, by Andrich’s account, finally feels like a group that can breathe.
"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. That contrast is stark: from instability and uncertainty to something approaching normality.
A demand for resilience
Andrich, though, is not interested in comfort for comfort’s sake. His focus is on how this calmer environment translates when pressure hits.
"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," he said.
That is the core of his message. Stay, lead, and build a team that doesn’t crumble at the first spell of adversity.
The armband may yet be decided between him and Tapsoba, but Andrich is already acting like the captain Leverkusen will need when those 20 tough minutes arrive.
