Florian Wirtz is back. In Leverkusen, plans are being made for the back series with the young star. Coach Xabi Alonso is already on fire. But wants to build up the 19-year-old carefully.

From a Leverkusen point of view, the first series went completely haywire. The Werkself had to do without their young star Florian Wirtz. The 19-year-old tore his cruciate ligament in March.

But now he's back on the field. Wirtz has been able to train with the team again since training started last Friday. For Bayer 04, the youngster will be a kind of new winter signing. From a category that every club would probably want.

Coach Xabi Alonso agrees: "He will give us many things, his individual qualities, his ability to associate, to find different solutions between the lines." Once in awe, Alonso continued: "The players who are good at it are the difference players. And he's such a player. With his individual quality and his individual inspiration, he has the ability to do it," the 40-year-old said table football

And pushed afterwards: "He will be a great winter signing for us." Alonso doesn't see any mental blockages in Wirtz because of his serious knee injury. "Of course there's a difference between training and a friendly and then another competitive game. But I think he's clear-headed." Bayer will play four friendlies before the start of the Bundesliga against Gladbach on January 22nd. Alonso explained the plan: "We have to be intelligent. In our first game in Glasgow he won't play 90 minutes, but 20 or 25. And if it goes well, next time a little longer against Zurich."

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Alonso on Wirtz comeback: "A great winter addition".