Bayer Leverkusen faces a medical setback with their new young talent Kennet Eichhorn. The 16-year-old signing from Hertha BSC lost five kilos in just five days after contracting a severe stomach bug immediately after his first training session in Leverkusen. The drastic weight loss has ruled out his immediate return to team training.
What happened?
Eichhorn has been training alone or with rehab coaches off the pitch since Tuesday. Leverkusen’s medical staff are taking no risks to avoid potential injuries due to his weakened condition. Currently, the teenager is limited to light shooting and sprint drills, as reported by Bild. His inclusion in Saturday’s friendly against Kickers Offenbach is therefore out of the question.
The infection struck the young player right after his first day in Leverkusen. Since then, he has been medically supported to regain full fitness. His coach Carles Martinez sees him as a key figure in the defensive midfield center – a starting spot could await him upon recovery.
Why this matters for Bayer Leverkusen
Eichhorn was one of the most sought-after talents in German football last season at Hertha BSC. Top clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and PSG showed interest, but the teenager chose Leverkusen’s project instead. His agent team demanded a release clause of ten million euros, which both Bayern and Dortmund deemed too high.
Eichhorn joined Bayer in summer 2026 for a fee of around nine million euros on a deal until 2031. Martinez plans to use him as a fixed starter in the defensive midfield center in his 4-3-3 system. The current situation could delay this plan.
What comes next?
Eichhorn is expected to rejoin the squad gradually in the coming days. His first target: to be fully fit by the season opener on 24 August 2026. Until then, he trains with low intensity in the gym or with physiotherapists.
If he isn’t ready in time, Leverkusen may turn to alternatives. Martinez, however, is focused on the long-term development of the talent. The Bundesliga season kicks off for Leverkusen with a home game against Sevilla on 8 August 2026 – a date Eichhorn ideally won’t miss.
Currently, Bayer Leverkusen sits sixth in the Bundesliga with 59 points from 34 games and a goal difference of +21. The team has scored 68 goals and conceded 47 this season. Their last five matches ended with one win, two draws, and two losses (DDLLW).
