Cologne and Leverkusen's got talent: Saïd El Mala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Jonas Urbig and more
When Bayer Leverkusen host local rivals Cologne at the BayArena on Saturday evening, plenty of eyes will be on 19-year-old Saïd El Mala, who has burst onto the scene with the Billy Goats this season. He is the latest in a series of talented young stars to make their first steps with either of the two clubs, setting the Bundesliga alight along the way...
Since making his first-team debut for Cologne against Jahn Regensburg in the first round of the DFB Cup in August 2025, El Mala’s reputation has continued to grow. He found the back of the net in just his second Bundesliga game and has scored five more times since - more than any of his teammates. He has also provided two assists.
His performances have not gone unnoticed by Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, with the teenaged forward earning a maiden senior call-up during the November international break. That was just the latest big moment in the youngster’s meteoric rise.
Watch: Watch out, El Mala-dona's about!
There has arguably not been as much excitement surrounding a Cologne youngster since Lukas Podolski began to strut his stuff for the Billy Goats way back in 2003/04. While his 10 goals in 19 games were not enough to keep Cologne in the Bundesliga, his 24 strikes the following season were the driving force behind an immediate return to the top flight.
After another impressive campaign in 2005/06, there was little Cologne could do to stop him moving on to Bayern Munich at the end of the season. The city’s favourite son would return three years later, though, and ultimately made 181 appearances for Cologne across the two spells whilst becoming a FIFA 2014 World Cup winner with Germany.
Watch: Lukas Podolski, a Bundesliga legend
Cologne may well have had another attacking prodigy on their books had controversy not ensued. There is a gentleman’s agreement that youth players in the Rhine area do not change clubs prior to making their first-team debut, but Florian Wirtz still made the switch to Leverkusen in 2020 after 10 years in Effzeh’s youth set-up.
It was a big risk for Leverkusen to sign Wirtz amidst so much furore, but it is fair to say it paid off. Wirtz was the fulcrum of Die Werkself’s 2023/24 domestic double-winning campaign – secured without losing a game – claiming the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season award along the way. He has since become a key player for Nagelsmann, and is now plying his trade with reigning English Premier League champions Liverpool.
Wirtz came to the fore at the perfect time for Leverkusen, who were trying to find a replacement for the outgoing Kai Havertz. He was the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut in 2016/17 – a record later beaten by Wirtz – and also became their youngest goalscorer later that same campaign.
No teenager has ever scored more than the 17 strikes he managed in 2018/19, and he ultimately departed for Chelsea in 2020 with 46 goals in 150 appearances. The now Arsenal forward has also gone on to achieve great things, scoring the winning goal as Chelsea won the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and representing Germany at three major tournaments.
Despite spending the entirety of his top-tier career with Cologne, Jonas Hector still amassed 43 caps for his country, playing at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. After joining from local club SV Auersmacher at the age of 20, he spent the next 13 years at Cologne before retiring in 2023.
Hector was the captain and heartbeat of the side, and as reliable as anyone for over a decade. His stay at the club may not have coincided with much success, but he is undoubtedly one of their most popular players in recent history.
Watch: Jonas Hector, part of the Cologne furniture
In contrast, goalkeeper Jonas Urbig made just 11 appearances for Cologne before moving on to pastures new, but there is no doubting his ability. He was just 19 when he made his first Bundesliga 2 appearance between the sticks for Regensburg and, after further impressing at Greuther Fürth, he was given his chance with Cologne’s senior side at the start of 2024/25.
He immediately delivered, and before long, switched to Bayern to become goalkeeping legend Manuel Neuer’s deputy. The latter remains first-choice for Vincent Kompany’s side, but Urbig has still made 16 appearances this calendar year, including four in the Champions League.
There are plenty of other big names who started out at Cologne or Leverkusen before making a splash in the global game. Christoph Kramer, for example, is usually more associated with Borussia Mönchengladbach – another Rhine-based outfit – but he spent many of his formative years with Leverkusen on his way to becoming a 2014 World Cup final starter and champion.
Evidently, this area of North Rhine-Westphalia is a hotbed for young German talent, with El Mala just the latest off the conveyor belt. On Saturday, the teen flier can prove it once more on the national stage.
Related news
Jones rescues late point for Pauli
Alexander Blessin's side salvaged a draw in Cologne thanks to Ricky-Jade Jones' stoppage-time header, which cancelled out Saïd El Mala's opener.
Fantasy tips for Matchday 13
Not sure which players should be in your Fantasy team? We've got you covered...
El Mala just behind Podolski
The 19-year-old's latest goal has put him in some esteemed company as his rapid rise continues this season.