Mesut Ozil and Michael Ballack are Germany’s two best midfielders of the 21st century; will Bayern Leverkusen star Havertz follow them to Premier League?
Talents like Kai Havertz appear once in a generation.
Forget Jadon Sancho or Joshua Kimmich, the 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen is the Bundesliga’s real superstar-in-the-making. The Aachen-born wonder-kid has looked set for stardom ever since he swaggered onto the football pitch with a grace and elegance that belies his rangy 6ft 2ins frame.
Havertz has always had the ability to carve apart a defence with a swift turn of his hips or an inch-perfect pass but he became a goalscorer last season too. Only Robert Lewandowski, Paco Alcacer and Luka Jovic scored more than Havertz (17) in the Bundesliga across 2018/19.
And he has certainly started the new campaign in typically formidable style. Two goals in two games already, his sublime chip in Saturday’s 3-2 triumph over newly-promoted Paderborn was Havertz personified; skill, composure and deadly accuracy.
No wonder eight of Europe’s biggest sides, including Liverpool, are already putting aside £91 million to lure the three-time Germany international way from the Bay Arena (Sport1).
“He is fast, persistent, good in the air, sturdy, technically perfect, his understanding of the game is outstanding, and he also thinks defensively,” Germany legend and Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller told Kicker this summer.
“He is clearly the (standout) German player of the next ten years. I think he’s a mix of Michael Ballack and Mesut Ozil.
“The style and elegance of Özil, from the physical development, the robustness, the header strength and the goal scoring skills like Michael in his top years.”
Havertz has a long way to go before he can hold a candle to the achievements of arguably Germany’s two best midfielders of the 21st century. But maybe Jurgen Klopp is the manager who will complete his transformation from wonder-kid to bona fide superstar.
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