Andrich Dismisses Transfer Rumors and Aims for Leverkusen Captaincy

Robert Andrich has drawn a firm line under speculation about his future, insisting he has no intention of leaving while he feels trusted and valued at Bayer Leverkusen.

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

"Of course, I pick up on it through a few channels," he 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 hint of a player agitating for the exit. Quite the opposite: Andrich sounds like a man who believes he still has a central role to play.

“I see myself as number one”

That sense of responsibility extends to the captaincy. Andrich made no attempt to hide his ambition to wear the armband on a permanent basis, while accepting the final call rests with the club.

"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."

The hierarchy is not fully nailed down. Andrich pointed out that both he and Edmond Tapsoba have recently led the team on the pitch.

"Eddy [Tapsoba] and I have worn the armband last – it could be decided between us."

A straight contest, then, between two established dressing-room voices, with Andrich clearly prepared to carry the weight if asked.

New man on the touchline, new mood in the dressing room

His words also draw a sharp contrast with the turbulence of the past year. Xabi Alonso’s departure triggered a chaotic spell in the dugout, with Erik ten Hag lasting just three matches before making way for Kasper Hjulmand, who has since also moved on.

The revolving door has finally stopped. Under new head coach Carles Martinez Novell, the mood around the Werkself squad has settled, and Andrich was keen to underline the change.

"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.

That line matters. Last summer’s instability seeped into performances; this time, the players want a tighter, more resilient core.

"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."

It is a simple message from a potential captain: stay, lead, and make sure that when the pressure comes, Leverkusen hit back instead of coming apart.