Kai Havertz has raised quite a few eyebrows in the last few months or so with his performances for Bayer Leverkusen. The German made his senior international debut in September and has attracted attention from clubs around Europe.
A report from the Mirror claims that Arsenal are the latest team to join the long list of admirers. Havertz had signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen last year, but it seems like the club will find it hard in keeping the starlet considering how well he is developing.
Kai Havertz – Fact file
A part of an exciting squad at Bayer Leverkusen, Havertz burst on to the scene during the 2016-17 season when he was just 17 years of age. At the tender age of 19, he has already made more than 50 Bundesliga appearance and seems like a player who could be the heir to Toni Kroos with the added benefit of scoring from midfield.
This season, the German has played a key role in midfield and seems to have matured as his team have struggled for consistency. Havertz was deployed in a deeper role, but Leverkusen’s poor early form meant the teenager was promoted to a number 10 role from where he has influenced proceedings well.
In 10 games so far, he has scored four goals and provided two assists. He also averages a key pass a game as his confidence on the ball has paid dividends.
What will Havertz add to Arsenal?
Arsenal have a couple of good creative players in Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey. Havertz seems like a mix of the two as he can not only thread a pass and finish attacking moves but also put a tackle or two in midfield, something Ramsey can do.
Havertz averages 1.4 tackles and one clearance every game in the Bundesliga. Heiko Herrlich’s style of pressing and good counter-attacking football has suited Havertz as he can use his pace and dribbling ability to make things happen on the break.
Unai Emery has done well at Arsenal so far as the Gunners are on a six-game winning streak in the league. Havertz can slot in alongside someone like Torreira, who can provide the defensive cover, while the former can have the box to box effect because of his impressive work-rate and all-round ability.
Stats via Whoscored
