Rolfes sees room for improvement for Aleix Garcia

Simon Rolfes believes Aleix Garcia will step up his game in the second half of the season after a difficult first few months at Bayer Leverkusen.

Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Aleix Garcia has struggled for a starting spot in the Bayer Leverkusen midfield since joining from Girona for a reported €18 million last summer.

The 27-year-old has expressed his dissatisfaction with his playing time, but has also made it clear that he will continue to work hard to prove that he deserves more minutes.

Bayer Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes is in no doubt that the best is yet to come for Garcia.

"All new signings need a bit of time to settle into the team and get used to the style of play and the automatisms. The same goes for Aleix. I'm sure he can do a lot more," Rolfes told Kicker.

"He has the footballing ability. The sporting and social integration - as was the case with many of the players we brought in - takes a little time.

“He has already taken some steps. But I am convinced that in the second half of the season he will be able to bring his qualities to bear in a much more natural way.”

Garcia has made 22 appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions, including 11 starts.