Leipzig making a statement with youthful turn

Leipzig have long been synomynous with a dedicated youth policy, with former sporting director Ralf Rangnick adopting a transfer strategy in 2012 solely focused on developing young talents. 

That move led to the club taking the Bundesliga by storm after their promotion in 2016, as well as developing the likes of Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano, Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Barcelona's Dani Olmo.

Now, amid a summer of change, the club is sticking true to its thinking and aiming to rejuvenate its fortunes in 2025/26 by signing several thrilling new youngsters. 

Former Werder Bremen boss Werner has his sights set on taking Leipzig back into European football after the club missed out on continental competition for the first time since their 2016 promotion after finshing seventh last season. 

Leipzig already fielded the youngest line-up of any Bundesliga side in 2024/25, when interim coach Zsolt Lőw picked an XI with an average age of just 23.6 years in a Matchday 31 encounter at Eintracht Frankfurt.

A trio of headline-grabbing signings announced on a single day on 16 July made clear just how determined Leipzig are to build on those youthful foundations while transforming their attacking approach. 

Diomande was the first of the three to be unveiled, with the dazzling 18-year-old Ivorian dribbler bringing great promise after breaking through at Spanish outfit Leganés last season. He's wasted no time making his mark, hitting his maiden goal just six minutes into his competitive debut in the 4-2 win at Sandhausen in the DFB Cup first round.

Maksimović may be the same age as Diomande but packs remarkable experience with eight full international caps for Serbia, along with a pair of nimble feet and eyes for a killer pass that have long gained him the tag of the next big thing in his homeland. 

Bakayoko comes to Leipzig as a player who attracted interest far and wide with his blistering performances for PSV Eindhoven and the Belgium national team. At 22, he's already well versed in top-level football but still has time to become an even more exciting prospect in the Bundesliga.

The club do not appear to be merely stocking up on attacking talents in the hope they flourish. Bakayoko and Diomande fit the classic winger mold that Leipzig rarely prioritised in the three seasons under former coach Marco Rose. 

Watch: The best of Xavi at Leipzig

As Maksimović can also play on the flanks in addition to attacking midfield, opposing full-backs are set for a tougher test than ever before when facing Leipzig in 2025/26.

That could provide extra space for Leipzig's other creative talents like Xavi (22), Loïs Openda and new striker Rômulo to work their magic in. The Brazilian marksman tasked with replacing Benjamin Šeško is a relative veteran compared to the other new arrivals at just 23, signifying just how youthful this summer revolution is. 

A punchy new-look attack is not the only element of Leipzig's renewed youthful tilt. The side from Saxony have pounced to sign other talents under the age of 21 this summer - right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic (19), whose loan from Aston Villa has been extended, left-back Max Finkgräfe (21) from Cologne and central midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi (20) from Leuven.

With 37-year-old Werner also being the Bundesliga's third-youngest coach, behind Hamburg's Merlin Polzin and Augsburg's Sandro Wagner, youthful promise is truly set to be written as large as ever for Leipzig as they head into 2025/26.

The first glimpse of the new-look young guns in competitive action in their DFB Cup first-round trip to fourth-tier Sandhausen didn't disappoint either, with Banzuzi and Diomande both getting on the scoresheet on debut. 

Die Roten Bullen have a much tougher test up next, as they'll lock horns with defending champions Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season opener - just the kind of tie a fearless talent could make their mark in!