Bayer Leverkusen's run to Bundesliga glory last season was, genuinely, one of the great shocks of European club football in modern memory.
Theirs may not have been quite on the scale of Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2016, yet it was no less herculean and impressive a feat to stop almighty Bayern Munich winning a twelfth straight league title — all without losing a single game en route.
And there was a significant Nigerian imprint on that success, with Super Eagles attackers Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella contributing a combined 19 goals and 13 assists to that triumphant campaign.
Boniface was by far the more regular of the two in the starting XI, leading the line with aplomb throughout the season — save a stretch during which he was out injured — and finishing as Leverkusen's league topscorer, with 14 strikes. Tella, though, featured only sparingly, often coming off the bench.
Leverkusen’s title defence falters
Unfortunately, Leverkusen’s title defence has faced early challenges this season, with just 12 games played and the team sitting third in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
While the season is far from over, the struggle to maintain momentum has been evident.
A key factor in their difficulties has been Xabi Alonso’s reluctance to rotate his squad and trust in the depth of his players, whereas last season this constituted a key tenet of their success.
Alonso’s strategy has come under scrutiny, especially his hesitance to use his full squad effectively. This has resulted in limited opportunities for players like Tella, whose contributions last season were crucial to Leverkusen’s push towards the top.
Tella’s reduced role this season
This season, the Nigeria international has had a significantly reduced role compared to the last. He has appeared in just 8 Bundesliga games, with only one start, averaging 23 minutes per match.
In the UEFA Champions League, his playing time has been even more limited, making 4 appearances with only 1 start and 24 minutes per game.
This is a stark contrast to his productive 2023/24 campaign. In the Bundesliga, Tella made 24 appearances, 8 of which were starts, averaging 35 minutes per game.
He contributed 2 assists and scored 5 goals across all competitions, while also impressing in the Europa League with 11 appearances, 1 goal, and 2 assists, averaging 52 minutes per game.
The 25-year-old's performance in the DFB-Pokal against Bayern on Wednesday was a timely reminder of his potential. With limited minutes, he still managed to score the only goal of the game in a crucial 1-0 victory.
His goal highlighted his ability to deliver in important moments, making a strong case for why he should be trusted more regularly. With just 55 minutes per game in the Pokal, Tella has shown that even in short bursts, he can be a game-changer.
As Leverkusen look to stay competitive in both the Bundesliga and other competitions, Alonso must reconsider his approach and give players like Tella more consistent chances to prove their worth—especially with key players like Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface out injured.
