Bayer Leverkusen's new era under Carles Martinez has started with a jolt. A 3-2 defeat at promoted Elversberg on the opening Bundesliga matchday left the club bottom of the early table with no points from their first game, a result that exposed real problems in a squad already stretched thin.

The midfield situation sits at the heart of those problems. Martinez has made clear that former captain Robert Andrich has no future in his plans, stripping him of the armband and handing it to Edmond Tapsoba. Despite the departure of Exequiel Palacios to Ipswich Town and an injury setback for new signing Kennet Eichhorn, who has been diagnosed with a metabolic condition, Martinez told reporters he has not changed his position on Andrich. RB Leipzig have been linked with the 31-year-old, though no formal approach has yet been made.

To address the shortage in central midfield, Leverkusen are now pursuing Barcelona's Marc Casado before the transfer window closes. According to Mundo Deportivo, Martinez knows the 22-year-old from his time as a youth coach at the Catalan club, and Leverkusen are considered among the frontrunners alongside Besiktas.

The defeat to Elversberg has raised early questions about how quickly Martinez's tactical switch from a back three to a back four will bed in. A home game against Union Berlin on September 5 now carries added weight as the club looks to recover quickly and find some early-season momentum.