National team: Julian Nagelsmann continues to plan with Kai Havertz as left-back – “world class”

Kai Havertz was too disappointed to go to the fans, but Julian Nagelsmann’s praises quickly lifted the national team’s new left-back.

Nagelsmann even went one step further at the witching hour in the belly of the Berlin Olympic Stadium. He is also planning for the home European Championship with the 24-year-old from Arsenal FC as a rail player. “Kai said he wanted to do it, wanted to try it. I don’t see it as a risk for him, but rather a very, very big opportunity to play a key role at a home European Championship,” said Nagelsmann after the sobering 2:3 (1:2) against Turkey.

As Nagelsmann wanted, Havertz interpreted his role very offensively and scored from a center forward position to give the German Football Association (DFB) selection an early lead. Defensively, however, there was a certain sense of uncertainty. Logically, he lacked automatism in this position.

“If the idea exists, you have to admit that he has to acclimatize a bit on this railway,” said Julian Brandt and appealed for understanding for his teammate: “It’s unusual for him, but he got into it.”

Havertz, somewhat unfortunately, took the hand penalty for the Turkish winning goal – a decision that was too harsh, and not just for Nagelsmann. However, Havertz could have positioned himself differently for the long cross ball.

For record national player Lothar Matthäus it was a rather unsuccessful attempt. Franz Beckenbauer once said that a striker “has no place in his own penalty area,” emphasized the “RTL” expert.

“Kai has everything in terms of size, speed, quality and sense of responsibility to play such an offensive joker,” Nagelsmann said. He “solved many situations and moved a lot forward” against Turkey. By moving Havertz back, Nagelsmann also wants to create space for his numerous offensive stars.

Havertz is a “world-class player”. But: “If we have three world-class players where he usually plays at Arsenal, alongside Kai, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane, then I want to bring all three onto the pitch.”

And things haven’t been going well for Havertz at the club lately. In twelve league games, the former Leverkusen player only recorded one goal and one assist. That’s why he doesn’t have any self-doubt.

“You have to find a healthy balance between not doing so well when things are going well, but also not thinking that you’re the worst when things aren’t going well,” said Havertz. You should also stick to your line. Apparently Nagelsmann also intends that – with Havertz as left-back.