After emerging as one of the brightest young talents in Bundesliga 2, Hertha Berlin’s Ibrahim Maza has joined 2023/24 Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen from next season.
The highly rated 19-year-old, enjoying an impressive campaign for the capital club, signed in at the BayArena until 2030, with reports suggesting Leverkusen will pay a fee of approximately €12million for Maza, who recorded five goals and 3 assists in 33 2. Bundesliga games last season.
As the vibrant summer transfer window commenced, Die Werkself found itself at a pivotal crossroads filled with anticipation and potential upheaval.
Manager Xabi Alonso, with his charismatic leadership and tactical acumen, left the Bay Arena to join the lofty heights of Real Madrid. Adding to the intrigue, seasoned defender Jonathan Tah, known for his commanding presence in the backline, and phenomenal young talent and star man, Florian Wirtz, who has dazzled fans with his unbridled creativity and goal-scoring prowess since his breakthrough in May 2020, have also exited to Bayern Munich and Liverpool, respectively.
In light of these departures that had unsettled the squad’s balance, the club took decisive and proactive action with their search for Alonso’s successor, with former Manchester United and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag taking the reins.
Maza is not only seen as an exciting market opportunity given his age profile and unique playmaking qualities, but also as a replacement for the departing Wirtz, whilst they also added PSV Eindhoven’s highly-rated midfielder Malik Tillman.
That may indeed seem like a tall order given the joy and success the German wonderkid had provided the Leverkusen faithful. Still, as history has shown, the club aren’t afraid to replace its superstars with young unknown quantities who will be handed the room and resources to grow, develop and become potential world-beaters in their own right, which is certainly what Wirtz had been moulded into.
The sad case is, Leverkusen are a selling club. They will mould these young talents, but also not stand in their way should an elite club come calling and the money is right.
That will almost certainly be Maza’s case in the next few years. The Algerian international possesses all the tools to reach the same calibre and level as his predecessor.
It’s no wonder Leverkusen pulled out all the stops to snap him up even before the summer transfer window opens, with the likes of Atletico Madrid and AC Milan also both reportedly tracking him.
Such a level of clubs tells you all you need to know about Maza’s qualities and potential, so let’s delve deeper into his origin, his style of play in Berlin, and his potential fit at the BayArena next season and beyond.
Who is Ibrahim Maza?
Born in Berlin, Germany, Maza is of Algerian and Vietnamese descent. Before becoming a midfield mainstay for Hertha, Maza was on the books of local side Reinickendorf Füchse.
It wasn’t long before the Alte Dame spotted him, and he joined the club’s academy at the age of 11.
Six years later, Maza completed the transition from the park fields of Berlin to the bright lights of the Bundesliga, coming on as a late substitute against Bayern Munich at the end of the 2022/23 season.
A month later, the German-born wonderkid scored the first goal of his professional career, netting against VfL Wolfsburg on the last day of the Bundesliga season, becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer in its rich history, aged 17 years, six months and three days.
Hertha tasted their first relegation from the Bundesliga since the 2009/10 campaign in 2023, and Maza who was expected to be their shining light on a possible route back to the German top flight, struggled with a knee injury that forced him to miss over half the campaign before returning on Matchday 21 against Greuther Fürth.
The Algerian couldn’t get his footing in the Hertha first team since his return, which was expected. However, the 2024/25 campaign has proven a much different story. Maza has started all but one game of the 32 so far (due to suspension), registering five goals and three assists and currently eighth of all players in the division for individual duels, both in attack and defence.
Naturally, Maza’s quality caught the eye at international level as well as those in charge at Leverkusen. He represented Germany’s U18, U19 and U20 sides before pledging his allegiance to Algeria, his father’s homeland, given the difficult competition he faces from talents like Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Paul Wanner, which may have influenced his decision.
In October 2024, Maza was called up to the Algeria national football team for the first time for a pair of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo, featuring alongside Riyad Mahrez and Bundesliga stars Ramy Bensebaini, Farès Chaïbi and Mohamed Amoura.
As he embarks on this thrilling journey, it’s evident that Maza is on the brink of transforming into a household name in football. With an exhilarating move to Bayer Leverkusen anticipated in June, the path ahead is not just bright—it promises to be brilliant for this rising star.
How good is Ibrahim Maza? What’s his style of play?
Leverkusen’s swift pursuit and acquisition of Ibrahim Maza signal an ambition that transcends merely finding a potential successor to Florian Wirtz.
Maza embodies the youthful exuberance and electrifying skill that the club actively seeks in the transfer market. His playing style mirrors that of the German international, forging a partnership with the club that looks, on the surface, a perfect fit.
Much like Wirtz, Maza dazzles with extraordinary game-breaking abilities, showcasing a flair that can turn the tide of a match.
With his remarkable talent and skillset, he holds the potential to single-handedly clinch victories, making him a thrilling addition to the team’s dynamic.
Modern day #10 explanation
So, first and foremost, Maza is a number ten in every sense of the word.
A highly technical and creative orchestrator in the final third, embodying the unpredictability, creativity, and confidence typically associated with this role.
The role of a #10 has massively evolved in the modern game, and it’s much to do with such profiles becoming all-rounders in the middle third as well as a destructive and decisive force in the final third.
They are now tasked with working as hard off the ball as they do on it, but more crucially, not just doing their best work to create goal-scoring opportunities, but also facilitating play in build-up patterns and locating space within the full width of the pitch or in central pockets to disrupt an opponent’s high press or defensive block.
Football is increasingly resembling a game of chess, with coaches now placing much emphasis on positioning and tactical acumen to outmanoeuvre their opponents.
#10s have somewhat become a dying art in that respect. No longer do we have those profiles that do all their work creating magic in attack. If there are such profiles now, they are expected to work within the parameters of the team setup/collective rather than the individual.
Does Maza fit the modern-day bill?
In Maza’s case, he certainly fits these characteristics, not just taking on creative responsibilities in the final third but also playing with intensity, aggression and possessing a tremendous work ethic all across the pitch.
His defensive numbers throughout the 2024/25 campaign make for an impressive and surprising reading, somewhat.
Maza ranked in the 82nd percentile among attacking midfielders in 2.Bundesliga for defensive duels won as a percentage, and in the 65th percentile for aerial duels won as a percentage.
His defensive positioning rank is also good, ranking in the 63rd percentile.
The Algerian’s lowest-ranking metrics are goal contributions per 90 and accurate passing percentage of 78%, suggesting that his overall end product could well have been much better last season.
However, his strong showing in defensive and dribbling metrics, along with his output of 10 goals and assists, suggests that there is an exciting offensive talent who is also willing and capable of putting in the graft and hard work when his team does not have possession of the ball.
The Algerian international is a player with a great work ethic and dedication, but is also endowed with several exceptional, distinct qualities that have made him an attractive candidate for Bayer Leverkusen.
Ball-Carrying and Dribbling
Maza is a player who primarily stands out for his fine technical acumen. This is prominently featured in his ball carrying, where the soon-to-be Leverkusen superstar showcases an exceptional ability to retain tight control & slick technical shifts at high speeds.
When the Algerian pierces through opposition defences with his incredible close control and acceleration, it is simply an exceptional sight to behold, and that is down to his ability to withstand contact and maintain balance while at high speed, but also create separation quickly and precisely.
The above clips paint a perfect picture of what Maza is about. Even in the tightest of situations, every touch from the Algerian wonderkid is meticulous, carefully considered and with clear intention.
For example, in the first of the two clips, he allows the ball to come across to his right foot because he is aware that if he controls it with his left, it will get intercepted by the nearby defender.
In the same swell movement, he shifts the ball behind him and then beats a second man with a close dribble, taking two players out of the game in the span of two seconds before moving into the open space and attempting a lob pass to his teammate in the box, which comes to nothing.
The second clip showcases Maza’s exceptional change of direction even when in tight spaces or when pressed by the opposition. He possesses tremendous athleticism, flexibility and turning radius when dribbling in the most impossible scenarios.
He controls the ball and brings it onto his right foot, but realises two Greuther Fürth players are also converging in that direction. Maza then cleverly manages to turn just as the nearby marker attempts to move in and intercept the ball from him, using his body and right foot well to spin around him and not only get himself out of danger, but to get the ball moving forward towards the attacking half again.
Such scenarios showcase Maza’s unique ability to problem solve under pressure, similar to the man he is replacing in Florian Wirtz. While it’s important to give these profile of players tactical discipline, it’s just as crucial to allow them freedom of expression, especially when operating in central areas.
Possessing unpredictability and creativity within a tactical framework is essential.
For instance, if a team is able to read and understand what Erik ten Hag is trying to implement tactically for Bayer Leverkusen in a match, having a player like Ibrahim Maza—who possesses skill, elegance, and the ability to deceive and outmanoeuvre defenders with his exceptional close control, unpredictable movements, and quick decision-making—can be a game-changer.
With this kind of brilliance on the pitch, teams will undoubtedly find themselves at a loss when faced with this dynamic play, making them a formidable force that is difficult to defend against.
This dynamic is why elite clubs across Europe are fervently acquiring players of this calibre—those who can navigate out of tight situations and take charge in creating opportunities, whether for themselves or their teammates.
Look at Manchester United’s signing of Matheus Cunha, Liverpool’s acquisition of Wirtz from Leverkusen, and Manchester City’s talent grabs of Rayan Cherki and Tijani Reijnders from Lyon and AC Milan, respectively. Not to mention Real Madrid’s capture of the South American wonderkid Franco Mastantuono.
These players embody the future of football, masterfully balancing tactical discipline with spontaneous bursts of brilliance. They can not only operate within a structured game plan but also transform the flow of the match with their creativity and unpredictable nature. It’s this unique combination that makes them invaluable assets to their teams and forces opponents to rethink their strategies. Investing in such silky players has already redefined the game as we know it.
Maza is certainly a profile in that mould. The Algerian recorded a dribble success rate of 55% in the 2.Bundesliga last season, and ranked third in the division for dribbles with a rate of 2.3 per game [WhoScored].
Again, the below set of clips certainly highlights as much.
In the first clip against FC Koln, the Algerian’s intelligence in where to pick up the ball in the half-space and drive up the pitch is evident. He offers himself as a progressive passing option for his defender in the deep build-up phase.
As the pass is played towards him, his nearest opponent at the top of the pitch senses an opportunity to nick the ball off him as it comes to his feet, but Maza cleverly utilises his exceptional and swift change of direction to allow the ball to run across his body, deceiving his opponent, thus allowing him to advance into the opposition half and carry the ball forward.
Ball-striking
The second clip, against Ulm, showcases his tremendous ball-striking abilities.
But again, it’s his intelligence of where to receive the pass, his boldness in taking responsibility to create chances or goalscoring scenarios. He receives the pass from his teammate, initially controlling it with his left before switching it back to his right as the defender approaches to cover him.
With the swift turn and change of direction, he takes him out of the equation before unleashing a fierce strike into the back of the net.
While Maza’s dribbling abilities are the focal point of his unique weaponry, his ability to strike a ball clean from long range should certainly be taken into account, also.
The goal against Ulm, as pointed out above, is the perfect example of both attributes coming to the fore in one swell move.
Once he receives the ball, his only thought in mind is to get in the best position to shoot, and he performs that with such class and panache.
The Algerian is tremendous at creating separation due to his speed of thought and quickness of feet.
Once he receives the pass, his opponent believes he’s got him where he wants, but Maza’s first touch is pure deception, touching it the opposite way his body is positioned, giving the opponent absolutely no chance of halting his progress.
What truly sets Maza apart, however, is his remarkable proficiency in taking shots almost immediately after a dribble, which is seen in the above goal.
He seamlessly transitions from manoeuvring around defenders to unleashing a powerful strike on goal, often before the goalkeeper can react. The combination of speed and precision in his shooting is a rare talent. Such skills are seldom found among players, especially on the continent.
Such a skill found in Maza will be beneficial to Leverkusen and Ten Hag. When they are faced with teams not giving much away in terms of chances, having a player capable of bending a game to his will because of his long-range shooting is sure to be a tremendous luxury.
Another example of his long-range shooting was his goal against Paderborn at home.
Once again, Maza allowed the pass to come across his body, which allows him to begin his turn early while creating enough separation from the nearby defender.
He cuts infield on his strong foot and places a low strike into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.
Maza demonstrates a natural instinct in these situations, rarely hesitating or overthinking his options, which enables him to strike the ball with confidence and precision.
Well-timed off-ball movement/Box-Crashing
Despite all this, Maza isn’t just blessed with ingenuity outside the box, though. The Algerian wonderkid also possesses the presence of mind at times to ghost into the penalty area and wreak havoc.
If he continues to hone this crucial and unique element of his play, he could very well rise to the level of Frank Lampard, becoming a master of the elusive late-arriving runs into the box.
Once again, we see Maza tremendously making the ball do the work, receiving the throw-in on the half-turn, allowing the ball to run across his body and fooling his marker to create some separation…
The Algerian continues his run across the width of the 18-yard box…
…before finding his teammate deep in the half-space {BLUE}…
Following the pass, Maza then ghosts into the penalty area, demanding the return pass…
He receives the pass right into his path in the penalty area…
…before taking the first time shot from a tight angle into the bottom corner…
A goal which epitomises Maza’s invention and imagination in the final third. He is a penetrative outlet, always looking to identify the best zones or areas in the attacking third to cause the opposition harm.
Furthermore, his off-ball movement is nothing short of exceptional; with a blend of agility and intelligence, he deftly navigates through the opposition’s defenders.
Maza possesses an uncanny ability to spot and exploit gaps in the defensive line, weaving through opponents with finesse and agility. His sharp awareness of his surroundings creates a wealth of opportunities for his teammates, leaving defenders in a constant state of uncertainty. With remarkable precision, he times his runs impeccably, ensuring he occupies the ideal position just as the play unfolds.
The Algerian maestro acts like a chameleon in these situations. He becomes involved in the play during the final third, blending in with the action before suddenly bursting into space beyond the defensive line to take a shot or create a chance for a teammate.
The instance above is a perfect example of his ability to ghost in behind midfield or defensive lines to exploit gaps, but there are certainly more ways in which Maza can cut through defences.
In the image below, Maza swiftly runs into the penalty area onto a lovely through ball. However, the situation looks difficult in order to get a shot off…
… not for Maza, though.
The Algerian anticipates the onrushing defender on his blindside, getting a shot off first time, albeit colliding with his opponent.
However, Maza still gets a toe on the ball, directing it past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
The Algerian always seems to have that small yard of pace on his opponents, and that is all down to his excellent quickness and explosive edge, but more crucially, his anticipation and problem-solving, especially when in tight spaces or under pressure.
Tight-space manipulation/ball-retention under pressure
Despite his slight build and unassuming height of 1.80 meters, Maza demonstrates remarkable strength and agility in retaining possession and maintaining balance under pressure from opponents.
While he needs to continue developing physically to meet the demands of senior football, especially at a prominent club like Bayer Leverkusen, he should be cautious about gaining excessive muscle mass.
Sacrificing his exceptional balance and nimble movement could hinder the unique qualities that make him effective in tight spaces.
What sets him apart from his peers is his unpredictability, marked by superb quick changes of direction and subtle body feints when pressured.
If he were to bulk up significantly in an attempt to adapt to the physical demands of his new environment, he risks losing the very attributes that make him such a unique asset.
As stated previously, the Berlin-born playmaker is so smooth and deceptive when operating under pressure. His subtle feints, swift changes of direction, and exceptional ball control are so reminiscent of his predecessor, Florian Wirtz.
A brief observation of Ibrahim Maza’s playing style reveals exactly why Leverkusen was so eager to secure his signature once it became clear that Wirtz would be departing the BayArena.
Both players excel in the #10 role, weaving intricate plays and orchestrating the attack with a finesse that captivates fans and dumbfounds defenders.
In the image below, two opponents fall victim to Maza’s intricacy and superb deception in small spaces.
Maza initially takes a ball down from the air into his control and is immediately surrounded by two opponents…
The Algerian is certainly aware of the threat behind him and proceeds to evade the pressure without any fuss.
He controls the ball with his outstep, shielding from the opponent on his blind side…
…before performing a smooth pirouette, faking to go one way but having the speed of thought and presence of mind under pressure to go the other, deceiving his opponent expertly.
Maza leaves him on the floor as a result and then speeds away from the second defender with consummate ease.
In another instance, Maza receives a square pass from his teammate with an opponent converging in on him…
…but again, it is not a problem for the Algerian wizard as he allows the ball to roll across his body…
…then smoothly rolls the ball in via his right foot in perfect tandem with his body positioning around his opponent before speeding away into the final third.
Maza isn’t just a high-tempo ball carrier with technical finesse; he also possesses exceptional agility and an extraordinary ability to turn sharply and smoothly, especially when pressed.
Another example, once again, highlights his sensational ability to manipulate defenders to evade tight situations and advance up the pitch with excellent confidence. But this time, with his back to goal.
His nimble body shifts allow him to effortlessly create space from defenders. This time, Maza receives the ball but pushes the ball forward while feinting to go one side.
As the defender approaches closely, Maza skilfully puts his right foot over the ball and drags it to his opposite side, turning and deceiving the defender.
His quick acceleration enables him to maintain that separation, leaving opponents trailing behind as seen in the images above.
However, Maza still has considerable room for improvement in his body positioning when receiving possession. He often adopts a closed stance at times, which forces him to play back into pressure or take his first touch toward the direction from which he received the ball.
He will favour his dominant side over his non-dominant, which we know he can perform, given his tremendous flexibility and body deception. At times, that stops him from getting a full view of proceedings…
For example, in the image below, he receives the ball from his teammate with an opponent converging behind him..
Rather than performing a full swivel via a drop of the shoulder to open up angles, he takes his first touch in the direction of where he receives it, halting him from progressing the play. He gets dispossessed as a result.
Final third responsibilities/output
Nonetheless, Maza’s silky smooth operation in tight spaces, quickness of thought and invention under pressure made him a crucial tool for Hertha Berlin last season.
If not for it, the capital club could well have been in the midst of an arduous relegation battle – although they did finish the season nine points from the relegation play-offs.
Had it not been for the Algerian and a few of his attacking teammates, such as Fabian Reese, Michaël Cuisance and Derry Scherchant, it could well have been a completely different story for Die Alte Dame.
Given the attacking quality around him, Maza certainly took creative responsibility last season, and the numbers certainly reflect that.
Maza recorded three assists, created nearly ten big chances, and averaged 1.5 key passes per game [SofaScore]. However, it’s the way in which he carried himself about the pitch that certainly made him the creative hub of Stefan Leitl’s side.
Despite his age, he demonstrates a remarkable ability to take personal responsibility for influencing matches, especially considering he was performing for one of the most historic clubs in Germany.
At times, it was down to the positions he picked up in the final third, for which you could immediately tell he knew he was the main man.
For example, in the image below, Maza picks up a crucial position in front of Fortuna Düsseldorf’s defence and smack bang in the centre of their dissected low block.
The Algerian, once again, possesses that presence of mind and the positional intelligence to pick out a pocket of space he feels can hurt the opposition.
Even if the opponents on either side quickly converge on him, he possesses the ability to turn on a sixpence…
… and either beat his man, find a pass or get a shot off.
He chooses the latter, which hits the post.
But, it’s a perfect example of his intelligence in finding the right pockets and having the maturity to take responsibility to create goalscoring opportunities/scenarios.
There’s also the unique facet of his teammates having that knowledge that if they get the ball to Maza, even in pressurised scenarios, he will create something out of nothing.
Maza [ORANGE] is still given the ball here by his teammate, despite being surrounded by three opponents…
…but such is the Maza trademark when under pressure…
…he allows the ball to roll across his body, immediately taking two defenders out of proceedings.
And, look where he drives the ball to, deep into the opponent’s defensive third, but things don’t end there…
… he waits for his teammate [RED] to run into the box, but has two defenders surrounding him once more. Again, it’s not a problem for the Algerian.
He manages to cut inside onto his right foot, looking for the pass…
…which he executes to perfection, providing an assist for his teammate who finishes the move off.
This goal is a true reflection of the trust and confidence Maza’s teammates had in him, giving him possession in a tight area and trusting him to work his magic, which the Algerian delivers to such tremendous aplomb.
Defensive output
What will always mark Maza out from his peers is the sheer athleticism and intensity with which he performs. He simply doesn’t stop running, and that is certainly evident in his defensive contributions.
Arguably, the most improved area of his game over the last year or so has indeed been defending his own goal, showcasing tremendous dedication and commitment to pressing, disrupting opposition build-up and dispossessing opponents as a result of his incredible intensity and ability to cover ground to remarkable effect.
In the 2.Bundesliga last season, Maza averaged a whopping 1.9 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, and 3.9 balls recovered per game, whilst also winning 54% of his ground duels.
While it’s not the most outstanding numbers, it still certainly represents his superb effort and application in trying to win the ball back for his team.
In the scenario below, the opponent receiving the ball from his goalkeeper feels he has time to get rid before Maza gets near…
The defender even shapes his body positioning to kick the ball long, with Maza still converging on him.
The defender eventually takes too long and allows complacency to get the best of him, for which Maza nicks the ball…
From there, Maza is able to create a goalscoring scenario for his teammate. And, it’s all down to his excellent commitment and application, chasing down a lost cause for the team.
Areas for Improvement
Set-pieces/crossing
One area Maza should address, most especially given his penchant for taking responsibility, is his crossing and set-piece deliveries.
He certainly boasts an impressive technical skill set, but his crossing and set-piece delivery leave much to be desired. He frequently overhits crosses or underhits them into low-impact positions when targeting teammates in good positions in the penalty area. Last season, he recorded a 15% success rate from his crossing, highlighting the need for significant improvement.
It’s unclear where Bayer Leverkusen & Ten Hag plan to utilise him for the forthcoming campaign, whether he will be deployed as a winger or a half-space occupying #10. If it is the former, his deliveries will certainly need addressing.
Constant dropping into low-impact areas
Another area Maza will need to improve or address is his knack for dropping deep when it’s not necessary.
Maza’s constant desire to impact the game is commendable, but this assertiveness and over-exuberance can sometimes work against him.
He often displays a lack of patience when waiting to receive possession, causing him to drop into deeper positions or drift wide to get on the ball. Unfortunately, this tendency leads him into low-impact areas of the pitch, where he is less able to influence the game effectively.
It’s challenging to distinguish whether Maza’s positioning at times is a result of a personal decision or a tactical directive from the coaching staff, but it’s evident that he has the greatest influence when receiving the ball in half-spaces or central channels in the final third.
It is a strong tendency of his that will certainly have to be coached out of him. He will be performing in a tougher league this season where teams are more tactically advanced and aware, so he will certainly need to choose his moments carefully when to get involved in the deep-to-middle phase of build-up.
Composure in possession
Furthermore, another area of improvement is his composure in possession.
We’ve highlighted his incredible operation in tight spaces and unique imagination, and keenness in the final third, and while Maza’s extreme verticality and creativity make him a really unique prospect, his decision-making can still be erratic and as stated previously, overexuberant.
He often resorts to unnecessary one-touch passes under pressure or attempts overly ambitious creative passes, which can disrupt good attacking patterns.
For example, in the image below, Hertha are a goal down with under 10 minutes left on the clock. Maza is in a good position with a full lay of the final third ahead of him…
Instead of driving forward with the ball at his feet, as we’ve seen he can do, to gain a better perspective of the sequence ahead, he attempts an audacious lobbed through ball to the player on the left…
…but he overhits it and the ball goes out for a throw-in, ruining a very opportune scenario for Hertha to score an equaliser.
In another scenario, Maza finds himself in a promising attacking transition…
…and attempts to play a chipped through ball to his teammate [ORANGE] who is on the run beyond his full back marker and the opponent’s defensive line…
…but the pass is underhit, nowhere near its intended target and easily cut out by the retreating centre-back…
Rather than driving with the ball to commit defenders and open up space for his teammates, or better yet, slow the game down to gain greater control, Maza is once again overambitious with his approach, which halts a very good attacking opportunity.
These moments of over-eagerness highlight areas where Maza will need to make significant improvements at Bayer Leverkusen, in order to maximise his considerable potential.
Forecasting Maza’s Immediate Future
Ibrahim Maza is certainly one of the most exciting young attacking talents to emerge from the German youth football system in recent years, and he will finally get to showcase his talent on the big stage next season as a Bayer Leverkusen player.
Leverkusen are going through a transition phase right now, with new manager Ten Hag replacing Alonso, and Wirtz joining Liverpool in the Premier League. The comparisons between the two are there, and while it’s way too early to make such judgements, the 2024 German champions certainly did sign him alongside Tillman, so the creative responsibilities in Wirtz’s absence will be keenly felt.
Maza only featured in his first pre-season game for the club during their 2-0 win over VfL Bochum on 27 July, a cameo role from the bench, and his first start on 1 August against Fortuna Sittard, so it may take some time for him to establish himself as a first XI regular.
How he’ll fare making the step up to the Bundesliga remains to be seen, but the potential is there, given his diverse and unique offensive attributes, including his dribbling, passing range, and ability to score from long range.
It is essential for Bayer Leverkusen fans to give Maza the time he needs to settle into his new environment and adapt to the roles and responsibilities assigned to him by Ten Hag.
With Leverkusen’s state-of-the-art training facilities, which are designed to hone the skills of emerging talents, Maza will have access to everything necessary for his development.
The vibrant, competitive atmosphere within the team is known for fostering growth among young players. Given these exceptional circumstances, it is highly likely that Maza will not only adjust quickly but will also establish himself as one of the club’s most valuable assets, proving to be one of their best investments in recent memory.
Watch this space.
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