Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann believes that Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has the potential to become a world-class player in multiple positions.
The tactician made the declaration following his side’s comfortable Nations League win over Hungary, in which Havertz netted from the spot while playing in a deep-lying forward role behind striker Niclas Füllkrug.
Nagelsmann infamously deployed Havertz at left back during the early days of his tenure. “Kai won’t always be in this position,” he said. “I have a great idea; he’s an exceptionally good footballer. This is a very good option. He won’t always play as a classic left back.”
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No stranger to being used in multiple positions, the Aachen native had previously turned out in various roles across numerous systems while donning his national team colours, albeit predominantly in the final third.
Havertz even popped up to put the four-time world champions ahead in that friendly loss against Turkey, which took place months after completing a £60 million move from Chelsea while struggling to cement a regular starting berth under Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
During his three years at Stamford Bridge, the versatile German international played under four different managers across several different positions (most notably the false nine role), giving him a return of 32 goals and 15 assists in 139 appearances.
Havertz’s most noteworthy moment undoubtedly came in the 2021 Champions League final when he scored the winning goal against Manchester City before doing the same in the subsequent Club World Cup final, making him the first player to achieve this feat since Lionel Messi a decade earlier.
It took a while before Havertz truly established himself in North London, with him being predominantly utilised as a centre forward, a role he could be deployed in a Germany jersey. It’s this versatility, coupled with his strong performances, that convinced Nagelsmann he can become elite in more than one role.
“Kai has made a big leap forward in the last two years,” he told reporters.
“He has the potential to be world class in many positions. He runs an incredible amount and has become very clever. He sometimes lacks a bit of finishing luck.
“The co-captaincy is good for him. He is a smart person, very reflective. He is very modest. I hope he continues to believe in himself.”
It was a gradual process and one that required patience even if those outside were ready to declare him a bust.
Since crossing the London divide, he has featured in all of Arsenal’s opening 12 league matches of last season, registering one goal. He would add three more goals in the Gunners’ next five outings before enduring a seven-game scoreless run (while missing their 2-0 loss against West Ham through suspension). However, what soon followed is nothing short of impressive, and it has bled into this current campaign.
Havertz would play 17 straight Premier League matches, scoring in ten (11 goals), including four on the bounce to start. He would score and assist in five different fixtures, the most by an Arsenal player in a single calendar year since Robin van Persie in 2011 (six times). Furthermore, only Cole Palmer (26) and Erling Haaland (21) have been directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2024 than Havertz (18).