Can Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen reach next level with summer signings?
he Spaniard has secured depth in quality at key positions in his squad, and with the champions retaining the majority of the core from last season, bundesliga.com analyses their summer and what it means for the season ahead...
Bayer Leverkusen have been thrust upwards to new heights in the last couple of seasons under Xabi Alonso. Following on from a promising first year, the Spaniard achieved a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double with the club in his second season.
Die Werkself's success on the pitch has been nothing short of remarkable, and a big factor driving that success in performances has been the club's superb recruitment in recent times. Alejandro Grimaldo, who joined on a free transfer from Benfica last summer, went on to achieve double figures in both goals and assists.
Other notable signings from last summer include Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, Jonas Hofmann and Josip Stanišić - the common thread between them all being how quickly they became a core of Leverkusen's title-winning team.
This summer has been similarly smooth for Leverkusen. The signings of Aleix García, Martin Terrier and Jeanuël Belocian have all been done well in advance of the start of the season.
With plenty of time still to go, we look at whether Alonso's signings can help them reach the next level?
Watch: Bayer Leverkusen return for pre-season
What's Your Reaction?
