Left-back Bakker completes Leverkusen switch from PSG

By Sports Desk July 12, 2021

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the signing of Mitchel Bakker from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €10m fee as the Bundesliga side look to bolster their defence.

Bakker, 21, makes the move to Leverkusen on a four-year contract and links up with new coach Gerardo Seoane.

Originally coming through Ajax’s highly acclaimed academy, the left-back made just two senior appearances before moving to France on a free transfer as PSG secured his services with a four-year deal.

In his debut season for PSG in 2019-20, Bakker won a domestic treble, playing the entire match in both the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals against Saint-Etienne and Lyon respectively.

The Netherlands Under-21 international typifies the modern-day wing-back, frequently providing as much in attack down the left flank as he does in a defensive sense.

Bakker made 26 Ligue 1 appearances last term and supplied two assists, although these numbers do not tell the full story of his influence.

Leverkusen's new signing (16) created more chances from open play than any other PSG defender, while he also made the most recoveries (124) of the full-back options in the squad.

Related items

  • Luis Enrique confident PSG are in perfect form with three titles up for grabs Luis Enrique confident PSG are in perfect form with three titles up for grabs

    Paris Saint-Germain can wrap up the Ligue 1 title this weekend, and with the Champions League and Coupe de France still to play for, they are in the best possible form, according to manager Luis Enrique.

    PSG host relegation battling Le Havre on Saturday, and a win will secure the league title with three games still to play, leaving them to concentrate on a Champions League semi-final with Borussia Dortmund and the cup final against Lyon.

    "I think we are heading into the final phase of the season in great form," said Luis Enrique.

    "I wouldn't have imagined this scenario going as positively as this, but what happens in the future is what happens. I would say we are in fantastic form in every way. We have almost every player available. Our supporters are very happy.

    "The club has so much ambition to achieve something else. It is a really attractive end to the season, which we are motivated for, and we will continue to fight to achieve all our targets."

  • Foden: De Bruyne the best in the Premier League Foden: De Bruyne the best in the Premier League

    Phil Foden hailed Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League's best player after the pair both netted in the 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

    De Bruyne opened the scoring in Thursday's contest at Amex Stadium before Foden took over with a couple of goals of his own before half-time.

    Julian Alvarez rounded off the scoring just after the hour in a one-sided contest as an Erling Haaland-less City moved to within a point of leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

    Belgium international De Bruyne now has four goals and six assists in just 13 league appearances for City this season.

    Speaking to Sky Sports News after the win over Brighton, Foden said: "I think when he is at it, he is the best player in the Premier League."

    Foden's first goal came via a deflected free-kick that he himself won, although replays showed he slipped rather than being fouled.

    The England international doubled his personal tally with a composed finish after Brighton were caught in possession at the back.

    Asked about playing more centrally, Foden said: "I have always said that I see myself there. This year I have moved inside and it has helped me massively. 

    "I enjoy it in the middle. It's where I want to be. At the moment, I am just enjoying my football and playing with freedom."

    De Bruyne had earlier opened the scoring with a brilliant opener - his first headed goal for City in the Premier League - as City made it 30 games unbeaten in normal time across all competitions.

    Alvarez then went on to round off the scoring in a game that not only saw the reigning champions close the gap on Arsenal, but also narrow the goal difference margin to eight.

    "It was a good game," De Bruyne said. "I think we played really good in the first half and every game is a lot of pressure. All we can do is prepare as we did today and win the game that is in front of us.

    "We just want to win game-by-game and push for the title. We don't get ahead of ourselves. Now the next game is coming quickly. Try to recover and we go again."

    Kyle Walker assisted the De Bruyne and Alvarez goals - the first time the defender has set up two goals in a single Premier League game in what was his 390th appearance in the competition.

    Reflecting on his rare headed goal, De Bruyne said: "It doesn't happen too much. Kyle gave a good cross and I think the only way I could reach it is by jumping to it. I will take it but it's not something I am good at."

    City have rather ominously won four Premier League games in a row and travel to strugglers Nottingham Forest next up at the weekend, knowing victory in their remaining five games will secure an unprecedented fourth straight title.

    "I trust my team. All respect to Liverpool and Arsenal, they are amazing," De Bruyne added. "Arsenal are doing what they need to do and we are also needing to do it. Work hard and be humble enough to keep pushing."

  • Borussia Dortmund gearing up for crucial clashes against RB Leipzig and PSG Borussia Dortmund gearing up for crucial clashes against RB Leipzig and PSG

    Borussia Dortmund are bracing for their two most important matches of the season.

    Saturday's game at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga is followed by a Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Paris-Saint Germain on May 1.

    With the league title already wrapped up by runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen, attention has shifted to the battle to qualify for the European competitions next season.

    Dortmund's unexpected success in Europe has thrilled fans but the team's future in the continent's top club competition beyond this term could rest a lot on the result against Leipzig.

    BVB are in fifth place on 57 points with Leipzig fourth on 59 and four games left in the campaign. The top four teams qualify for the Champions League group stage, although Germany is likely to earn a fifth spot as one of the top two in UEFA's coefficient table depending on the remaining results in European competition this season.

    A Dortmund defeat against Leipzig would see them drift five points behind their rivals with three games remaining, so Edin Terzic's side are aiming to keep hot on their rivals' heels.

    "It is a very important, decisive game against Leipzig," said Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

    "They are our direct rivals and it is a big difference for us finishing fourth or fifth.

    "We lost against them earlier in the season and now we want to win this. It is the fight for fourth place."

    Dortmund conceded a last-gasp equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw against Leverkusen but have won five of their last seven league games, including a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich.

    "It is extremely important for us to keep trying with 100 per cent to get that fourth place," said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

    "We cannot sit back and relax until we have achieved that. We must maintain focus and step on the gas."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.