Irresistible: Kai Havertz (left) was involved in all three German goals against the Swiss with Ricardo Rodriguez.
Photo: imago images / Horstmüller
The current restrictions are not so easy for national players either. Under normal circumstances, Kai Havertz could have distributed several dozen free tickets if spectators had been admitted to Cologne. The Aachen native’s family, friends and acquaintances live not far away – and were also a reason why the 21-year-old who moved to London had been looking forward to the international matches in “his old homeland”. But also an empty stadium without relatives can apparently inspire – because at 3: 3 on Tuesday evening in the Nations League against lively Swiss, the exceptional talent of German football finally convinced completely in the national jersey.
“You just see his skills on the ball, his sometimes very good passes to the top. The quay fitted in very well, «said national coach Joachim Löw, praising Havertz’s best performance so far in the DFB selection. In addition to the courageous solo with a skilful conclusion to the intermittent 2-2, he previously gave the template when Timo Werner scored and later initiated Serge Gnabry’s equalizing goal. “He was a playable player who defended the balls well. It was a really good game from the quay, “summarized Löw, who has naturally known his talent for football for a long time. The German number 21 didn’t like to talk about himself afterwards, but preferred to talk about the team: “We are in a process, we have a young team. We won’t let ourselves be dissuaded from our path. ”Havertz is of the opinion that“ we still have many years ahead of him ”. On the one hand. On the other hand, it is never too early for convincing performance.
The fact that the exceptional talent received comparatively little playing time after his debut in the national team two years ago was often due to Löw’s preferred system with a three-way chain. Then in the offensive midfield or on the wings there was exactly that space that a free spirit like Havertz needs, who likes to cavort as a quiet conductor between the lines. Before the corona crisis, he was only allowed to play once in seven missions under Löw. The national coach once said: »Kai Havertz can be a formative player for the national team. We’ll find a place for him. «Loew looked for that in vain for a long time. Now 8.19 million TV viewers on ARD could get an idea of what kind of inspiration Havertz can give the DFB-Elf.
It was also noticeable that Havertz showed himself to be steadfast in many duels – and no longer regulated everything about his elegant ball handling. A consequence of a ripening process at record speed? After moving to FC Chelsea, who paid Bayer Leverkusen up to 100 million euros for the “German Wunderkind” (BBC), the expensive newcomer quickly realized that he had to change. In the Premier League, it seems to him that “there are no average players.” Everything has to be done at the highest speed and intensity. “The duels are harder and faster,” he noted.
He perceives football on the island as “completely different than in Germany”. Havertz said last week in a digital press conference with his buddy Julian Brandt: “It was a big step for me to leave my family, my environment.” The Blues, especially coach Frank Lampard, expect a lot from him. His three-pack in the league cup against Barnsley FC can only have been the beginning. The home game against Southampton next Saturday could already be the opportunity to add the first Premier League goal.
.
