If you are not fan of Bayer Leverkusen or a massive disciple of the German Bundesliga, Lars Bender may appear as an obscure name to you and this may be the first time you are also hearing the name ‘Werkself’. ‘Werkself’ means “Factory Squad” and is a nickname for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

On April 27, 1989 in Rosenheim, West Germany, there was a gift to the world and German football. He was named Lars Bender. Lars started his footballing career with TSV Brannenburg and continued to play for an array of clubs until Bayer Leverkusen came knocking. He embraced the opportunity with joy and joined them in 2009 when he was only 20. He had spent the previous three seasons at 1860 Munich where he rarely had first team opportunities. He managed only 47 games for 1860 Munich during his stay there. He was mainly used as a substitute yet he won the Fritz-Walter trophy in 2006 ahead of Marko Marin and Sven Bender.

Like Nuri Sahin for Borussia Dortmund, it can be said without thinking twice that Arturo Vidal has been the best performer for Bayer Leverkusen in the just ended season. The Chilean midfielder missed only a single game and was used as a substitute only on two occasions for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. This shows how important and key he was to Leverkusen in the campaign. He bagged an impressive ten goals from midfield and managed eleven assists, no wonder a herd of top European clubs are after his signature. Most of Lars’ appearances for Leverkusen came as a substitute nonetheless he lived up to expectation and proved himself. There is no doubt that from a list of five best performers for Leverkusen, the name Lars Bender will be ever present.

The transfer window has been very busy for German clubs with a lot moving in and a lot moving out too. Every now and then we hear of a new signing for most of the teams. It seems everyone is beefing up their team to challenge for the Bundesliga title after Borussia Dortmund showed the other clubs how it is done. Not much has been heard or seen from the bank books of the Werkself. Probably Wolfgang Holzhauser has other things on my mind. I believe it’s the right thing because Bayer Leverkusen already has a wonderful squad and one or two additions will be enough as they are already in possession of the man to take them to the Promise Land. His name is Lars Bender.

It’s been nineteen years since Leverkusen last won a major trophy and if the name Vizekusen is not to be heard yet again a major trophy must be won and the one to help Leverkusen achieve this feat I believe is Lars Bender. Keep reading to enlighten yourself as to why I believe Lars Bender-a relatively unknown figure is the man on whose shoulders lies the much needed drive to bring back smiles on the faces of the BayArena faithfuls.

There are no questions about the depth of talent embedded in Lars. He is absolutely equipped with all the tools needed for the trade, touch, speed, power, strength and name the rest. In 2006, whiles playing for 1860 Munich, Lars won the Fritz-Walter trophy ahead of Weder Bremen’s Marko Marin and Borussia Dortmund’s Sven Bender. Marin was a prodigy in his days at Moenchengladbach and through to Bremen where he has grown to be a top class player and forms an integral part of the Bremen side. He has already represented the German national side in the World Cup in South Africa and it’s only a matter of time before a top European club comes knocking at his door. Not much had been heard of Sven Bender until he was given an opportunity in Jurgen Klopp’s side which he took without looking back. He has been a revelation since then. A hard working and tactically gifted midfielder, he offered Jurgen Klopp’s side the urge they needed in midfield. His impressive performances didn’t go unnoticed as he obtained international call ups from Jaochim Low. The point is that Marko Marin is a proven top class player and Sven Bender is a superstar in the making. For Lars Bender to have beaten them both to the Fritz-Walter trophy five years back, speaks volumes of the kind of player Lars Bender is.

What makes you think that such an experienced and master tactician in Jupp Heynckes will sign a relatively unknown young player a couple of months after his appointment as Bayern Leverkusen coach. Coaches like Jupp Heynckes have great ability to spot stars of the future which is why he signed Lars Bender in 2009 when he was only 20.

In the 2010/11 season, Lars was expected to degrade as fourth choice central midfielder with the arrival of the experienced Germany captain Michael Ballack. However, Lars proved that neither age nor experience can be substitute for talent as the season turned out to be a successful one for him, playing in good form slowly but surely giving him the first team regular status he rightly deserved. He made 27 appearances for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, scoring a couple of goals earning accolades and capturing the attention of critics with his outstanding performances.

With Arturo Vidal on the brink of leaving for Bayern Munich and ageing, injury prone and inconsistent midfielders such as Renato Augusto, Michael Ballack, Tranquillo Barnetta and Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen would heavily rely on the amazing Lars to propel them to a victorious and successful campaign for the 20011/12 season and beyond.

Next season promises to be a wonderful one for Lars Bender as he will have the opportunity to operate freely when his presence will be felt and his authority on the pitch cannot be disputed. It can arguably be said that Nuri Sahin was the discovery of the just ended season and by the end of the 2011/12 season Lars Bender will be a serious contender for that award.