Player Talent Scout: Florian Wirtz

Gifted attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz last night became the youngest ever Bayer Leverkusen player to appear in the Bundesliga when he started his club’s impressive 4-1 victory away to relegation threatened Werder Bremen.

The previous record holder was Bayer Leverkusen’s current star Kai Havertz, and Wirtz may prove to be Havertz’s long term replacement at the Bay Arena.

At 17 years and 15 days old, Wirtz became the third youngest player ever to play in the Bundesliga behind Nuri Sahin and Yann Bisseck, and his performance was positive enough that he can expect more chances in the remainder of the season.

Wirtz was signed in January from Bayer’s local rivals Koln after he scored 8 times in 10 games in the U17 Bundesliga West. Moving up an age in Leverkusen, he has again impressed with two goals and three assists in four appearances in the U19 Bundesliga West.

His form impressed coach Peter Bosz so much that the Dutchman had the confidence to throw him into the first team from the start, playing on the right of the attacking midfielders supporting Havertz in a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that pulled the Werder defence apart at will.

Already a German under 17 international, Bayer will be hoping they have unearthed another Havertz and the early signs are very encouraging that he will go on to have a career at the top of the game.