Why Kelly - but not Agyemang - should start the Euros final

Nine players Arsenal should consider selling amid £200m summer spree

England, beware! Bonmati back in BDO form after Euros scare

How Liverpool could still sign Isak despite £265m splurge

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Pachuca vs Salzburg: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Monterrey vs Inter: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Seat Unique names founding partner of Hill Dickinson Stadium 

Man City outcast Walker reassured over pace questions & future

Newlyweds Dyer & Bowen do not fear famous Strictly ‘curse’

Man City warned off transfer gamble on free agent Pogba 

<ul><li>Tapsoba feels ten Hag's playing style suits him</li><li>Defender compares the Dutch manager to Alonso</li><li>26-year-old to lead Leverkusen defence after Tah's departure</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Erik ten Hag playing style a 'perfect' fit for Bayer Leverkusen star as defender compares ex-Man Utd boss to Xabi Alonso

Club Friendlies

Bochum

Bayer Leverkusen

<p>Tapsoba, who is expected to lead Leverkusen's defensive line after Jonathan Tah's departure, believes new manager Ten Hag's playing style is a perfect fit for him and the club and that the Dutch manager's build-up philosophy resembles that of former manager Xabi Alonso.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>After a successful tenure at Leverkusen, Alonso shifted base to Real Madrid this summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti. To fill in the boots of the Spaniard, sporting director Simon Rolfes turned his sight to former Manchester United boss Ten Hag. After Alonso's departure, a few players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Tah left the club, and Tapsoba is looked upon as a successor to the latter, who served the club for 10 seasons. Having joined the side back in 2020, Tapsoba is also the longest-serving player in the current squad.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The defender said in an interview with <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/bayer-leverkusen-nachfolger-als-abwehrchef-auftrag-von-tah-an-tapsoba-687e9d3c6696f36098c32e09" target="_blank"><em>Bild</em>:</a> "I knew him from Ajax. His style of play is similar to that of Xabi Alonso, also in terms of the build-up of the game This fits my game perfectly."</p><p>He added: "Everything has changed. We came to Brazil and lost a lot of players. We have a new coach. We have to adapt for the coming season. That's our job. Of course, I have to take on more responsibility now. I've learned a lot from Jona, and now it's my turn. I'm trying to help the team as best I can, including as one of the leaders. Jona and I have talked about it, and he thinks now is the right time for me to take the next step. I want to be a leader—including as one of the team's vocal leaders."</p>

WHAT TAPSOBA SAID

<p>Leverkusen started the new era under Ten Hag with a 5-1 defeat to Flamengo U-20s on July 18. They will now take on Bochum in their next friendly on July 27.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN?

Erik ten Hag playing style a 'perfect' fit for Bayer Leverkusen star as defender compares ex-Man Utd boss to Xabi Alonso | Goal.com

Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba has highlighted a key similarity between Erik ten Hag and former manager Xabi Alonso.

Erik ten Hag playing style a &apos;perfect&apos; fit for Bayer Leverkusen star as defender compares ex-Man Utd boss to Xabi Alonso

Next Match