Martin Terrier: Who is Bayer Leverkusen’s own Thomas Müller?
Martin Terrier plays like Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller, drifting into spaces others cannot see, finding passes other players cannot pick, scoring goals other players can’t – no wonder Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen have signed him from Rennes ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Data correct as of 18 July 2024
Martin Terrier
Age: 27 (born 4 March 1997)
Position: Forward
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Country: France U21 13 games/7 goals
Key stats
Hailing from northern France, Terrier's natural ability was spotted by local side Lille. While he made his Ligue 1 debut there during the 2016/17 campaign, it was during a season-long loan at Strasbourg in 2017/18 that he truly came to the fore prior to joining Lyon on a permanent basis at the end of that season.
"It's a regret not to have spent more time as a pro in [Lille's] colours," said Terrier, who scored once in just 11 top-flight appearances for the club. "I had hoped to have a good part of my career with Lille."
Instead, he must have hoped his transfer would prove the catalyst for a top-grade career. He had scored seven times in his first four appearances for France's U21 side, but would not find the net for them again as his career stalled in Lyon with just 17 goals in 77 appearances, most of which were off the bench.
Their mood would not have been helped when a modest first season at Rennes (nine goals, seven assists in 34 matches in 2020/21) was followed by a stunning 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 matches for the Breton club the following campaign. It was the most league goals scored by a Rennes player since former Borussia Dortmund forward Alexander Frei in 2003/04.
It was no coincidence that his best form was under Bruno Genesio, a coach he had gelled with at Lyon, and who arrived at Rennes in March 2021, but even his boss could not prevent a significant drop-off in the 2022/23 season. After a highly promising 12 goals and five assists in 22 competitive appearances across Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League, Terrier ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee just two days into 2023.
Unsurprisingly, his 2023/24 season performance was limited after 10 months on the sidelines, but Terrier was not worried. "Overall, the season was satisfying for me in the sense that I didn't get injured after coming back," said the versatile forward, who scored seven goals and tallied three assists in 24 league games.
"Since I arrived at Lyon, I've played in Europe every year. Of course I've gotten used to that, to those demands. It's important for me." Bundesliga champions Leverkusen will now give him a chance to add to his 11 Champions League appearances.
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Plays a bit like: Thomas Müller
It's difficult to describe what kind of player Terrier is other than ‘a forward’, as he is a hybrid, very much like Bayern icon Müller. Used through the middle as a centre-forward or false nine in his most prolific season, he also likes to come in from the left onto his preferred right foot to fire goalwards or provide a decisive pass.
"If we're only talking about performance, I was at an exceptional level, I think," said Terrier, looking back on his superb 2021/22 season. "There was a difference in terms of stats, but I think you also have to take into account the team's play. I'm a team player. It would be a lie to say that I don't need the others, and the opposite is true as I can put my teammates in good positions."
His fluid and intelligent play seems to make him ideally suited to Xabi Alonso's strategy. "He starts on the left, but moves out of position, drops deep. His play is all about positioning, passes, movement, and he excels in that," explained Genesio. "He stands out thanks to his ability to score and make others score, to play between the lines, his technical quality and his intelligence."
Did you know?
Terrier celebrates goals by miming throwing a dart, which he first used after he scored the first of his 21 goals in the 2022/23 campaign when he struck against Ajaccio. "I was doing some building work at the time with a friend who is in construction," explained Terrier. "I had bought a dartboard and we played during breaks. He told me to do that celebration as a little nod to him. Against Ajaccio, it came naturally. I liked the idea as darts makes you think of times with your family, being with friends, fun times."
What they're saying
"In Martin Terrier, we have acquired a quick and intelligent attacker with a great eye for goal. He will add new and attractive facets to our attacking play. Martin is a strong finisher and can be deployed in a number of positions - he's a good footballer whose profile is an excellent fit for our team." - Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes
"I was very disappointed he wasn't selected [by France for the 2022 World Cup]. He had an extraordinary season with us. More than that, in training sessions I felt his improvement and that he is flourishing." – Ex-Rennes coach Bruno Genesio
"We see that Martin is as he was before [his injury]. He's a capable of winning matches for us all on his own." – Ex-Freiburg and current Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria
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