"To be honest, I don’t speak to him": Next brutally blunt statement to Bayer Leverkusen sale candidate
Robert Andrich has been sidelined at Bayer Leverkusen. Coach Carles Martinez has now underlined that once again in clear terms.
Despite Leverkusen's shortage of options, the new Werkself coach still is not turning to the experienced international in midfield. Neither the sale of Exequiel Palacios to Premier League club Ipswich Town nor the metabolic illness suffered by 17-year-old talent Kennet Eichhorn has led Martínez to rethink his stance on the 31-year-old defensive utility man.
At his press conference, the head coach laid out the difficult situation in blunt terms: "To be honest, I’m not talking to him. The assessment is the same at this point in time. He was injured and did not play last week." That means there has still been no rapprochement between the two, even after the recent changes to the squad.
He did add: "Of course, the situation is not identical after Palacios’ departure. But I cannot change my attitude if I still have not spoken to Robert. If something changes, I will speak to him. We will see what happens in the transfer market and in the coming days. When everything is clear, I will speak to all the players."
Which club are interested in Robert Andrich?
Bayer's hierarchy have reportedly already told the midfielder he should move on. One possible destination is RB Leipzig, as recently reported by Sky .
In Leipzig, new coach Martin Demichelis has identified a need for reinforcements in central midfield. According to the report, though, there has so far been "no direct approach" from the Saxony club. With the Werkself unlikely to stand in the veteran's way if a suitable offer arrives, plenty could still happen in the final days of the summer transfer window.
For the 31-year-old, it would mark the latest low point in his sporting decline. After Andrich took over the captain's armband at the Rhineland club following the departure of title-winning captain Lukas Hradecky, Martinez quickly took it off him again. Even before that, the Spaniard had made his stance clear: "At the moment, the reality is that in this midfield position he is initially taking on more of a supporting role. He deserves to know that."
Robert Andrich joined Leverkusen from Union Berlin in 2021
The physically imposing ball-winner has also lost his former regular place in the Germany side. At Euro 2024 on home soil, Andrich still operated under national coach Julian Nagelsmann as cover alongside Toni Kroos.
Last season, Leverkusen used him mainly as a centre-back in their back three, and after some serious mistakes there, Nagelsmann left him out of the squad for the subsequent World Cup.
The Potsdam native joined Bayer from Union Berlin in the summer of 2021. Across his professional career, he has made 197 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 13 assists. Since his debut in November 2023, he has worn the Germany shirt in 19 internationals.
