Kai Havertz

Don Alfredo

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I thought I would share this guy with you. He just turned 19 this summer, yet he already has 57 Bundesliga games under his belt.

He saved Leverkusen‘s ass last night with 2 goals that could appear on Messi‘s highlight reel. He scored the 1-2 and the 3-2.

Last season was his breakout season, where he had 9 assists in 30 league games.

I would not be surprised to see a NT call up for this guy in the near future, especially with a vacant spot at the ACM position after Ozil‘s retirement.
 

Zehner

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Youngest player to give three assists in a single half.

First 17 year old to score more than 10 goals + assists in one season.

Oh and by the way, he's just renewed his contract until I believe 2023, so hands off :P
 

hasanejaz88

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Really hyped for him. His technique in the ball is fantastic. One issue though is that his best position isn't certain yet, is he a CM or an AM? Very similar to Kroos at Bayern where he played as a world class AM under Heynkes but Pep then made him into a world class CM. He has a similar playing style to him as well where he is very good in possession and can score around 10 goals a season consistently. Till now he is being shifted from one position to another so I hope Herllich settles on one role for him, don't like him being moved about every week.

Don't think he has the potential of Kroos, who was the most talented German I had ever seen when he was on loan at Leverkusen, but certainly is one of the most talented in Europe right now in his age group.
 

PedroMendez

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Youngest player to give three assists in a single half.

First 17 year old to score more than 10 goals + assists in one season.

Oh and by the way, he's just renewed his contract until I believe 2023, so hands off :P
Which player would you compare him to in terms of skillset/style/role?
 

hasanejaz88

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Which player would you compare him to in terms of skillset/style/role?
Plays very similar to a younger Toni Kroos (when he used to play further up for Leverkusen and Heynkes' Bayern), maybe a bit quicker. Very calm on the ball, great technique and has an eye for a pass. Would be suited to a CAM role.
 

diarm

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Don't rate him. He hasn't scored enough penalties and José Gomes of Portugal was much better at the Uefa U17 Championships they played in together.
: )
 
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sun_tzu

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Leverkusen really have got some wonderful young attacking talent
Havertz
Brandt
Bailey
Paulinho is apparently a top talent
Tah is a defender who at 22 really could go on and be one of the best for the next decade
With Volland and the bender brothers adding some experience they have quite an impressive team
If they had kept Leno I wonder if they could have even been a possible challenger (or at least in serious contention to be 2nd to Bayern)

Havetz does seem to me to be the one with the highest potential - he has great technique and for a player so young his decision making is very good

I fully expect that team to break up over the next couple of years and of course Bayern will be seen as favorites to ultimately get him (brandt and tah)
 

Don Alfredo

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Don't rate him. He hasn't scored enough penalties and José Gomes of Portugal was much better at the Uefa U17 Championships they played in together.
: )
:lol:I think I have a fan now, never knew I would get that far in terms of internet fame:drool:
 

diarm

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:lol:I think I have a fan now, never knew I would get that far in terms of internet fame:drool:
Just kidding! I saw your name on the OP and thought i'd make an easy joke!

Haven't seen this kid before but those two goals were very well taken! Will keep an eye out for him.
 

Zehner

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Which player would you compare him to in terms of skillset/style/role?
His self-declared role model is Özil and you see a lot of him in his game. He always looks for the deadly pass and has this "lazy elegance" with which he glides past defenders, but Havertz iss a bigger goal threat than him. I like to compare him with Iniesta since he often does these turns in small spaces and is brillant in freeing himself from the opponent's pressing. Some also compare him to Ballack but I believe that's primarily because he wins many headers (which you wouldn't expect from a player like him). Ballack was much more direct and physical.


Plays very similar to a younger Toni Kroos (when he used to play further up for Leverkusen and Heynkes' Bayern), maybe a bit quicker. Very calm on the ball, great technique and has an eye for a pass. Would be suited to a CAM role.
Nah, nothing like Kroos at the same age. Completely different style. Havertz runs much more with the ball than Kroos and he isn't a distributor like him. You always knew he'd be a CM one day. Also, when he played as a 10 under Heynckes he interpreted the role more like an 8.
 

bpet15

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Fantastic player! As mentioned above, Bayer have some very talented young players that will be difficult to hold on to as a group.

Havertz is their prize however, being an Academy graduate.
 

Zehner

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Fantastic player! As mentioned above, Bayer have some very talented young players that will be difficult to hold on to as a group.

Havertz is their prize however, being an Academy graduate.
Right now, Bailey, Brandt, Havertz, Tah and Paulinho are all on long term contracts (4+ years). I know that this doesn't mean too much in modern football but on the other hand it is hard to imagine a better situation to hold them together.

Not convinced of Herrlich though. Started brillantly but sinxe then it only went downhills..
 

hasanejaz88

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His self-declared role model is Özil and you see a lot of him in his game. He always looks for the deadly pass and has this "lazy elegance" with which he glides past defenders, but Havertz iss a bigger goal threat than him. I like to compare him with Iniesta since he often does these turns in small spaces and is brillant in freeing himself from the opponent's pressing. Some also compare him to Ballack but I believe that's primarily because he wins many headers (which you wouldn't expect from a player like him). Ballack was much more direct and physical.




Nah, nothing like Kroos at the same age. Completely different style. Havertz runs much more with the ball than Kroos and he isn't a distributor like him. You always knew he'd be a CM one day. Also, when he played as a 10 under Heynckes he interpreted the role more like an 8.
I remember Kroos running, alot more than he does now, in his season at Leverkusen. He played as a LM for most of the season in a 4-4-2. He was a world class CAM for me, gave you an attacking threat with his shooting ability but also contributed defensively. He wouldve been better there than he is now as a CM.
 

ZlatMan

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Havertz single handily save the Leverkusen coach from the sack. He has a tasty partnership with Brandt and Bailey too :drool: If Leverkusen get a proper coach, he'll be the among the hottest players in the market soon.
 

Zehner

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I remember Kroos running, alot more than he does now, in his season at Leverkusen. He played as a LM for most of the season in a 4-4-2. He was a world class CAM for me, gave you an attacking threat with his shooting ability but also contributed defensively. He wouldve been better there than he is now as a CM.
I watched almost every game for him at Leverkusen. He has always avoided one on ones and played with as few contacts as possible. He was always a CM played as a LM for Bayer. But he was so good that it didn't matter. Kroos is a very consistent passer at all ranges but rarely takes risks. Never did it. Havertz is different. He actively pursues one on ones and always looks for the deadly pass not for the save option.

And I disagree, Kroos' current role is perfect for him. He's the best in the world in what he does. He wouldn't in the AM because his strengths are in other aspects of the game while he lavks the acceleration and dribbling for that role.
 

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And I disagree, Kroos' current role is perfect for him. He's the best in the world in what he does. He wouldn't in the AM because his strengths are in other aspects of the game while he lavks the acceleration and dribbling for that role.
Kroos problem is his slow reactions. You can play AM well enough without acceleration and dribbling. Just look at James, Eriksen, even De Bruyne

Havertz in my opinion will become a sort of attacking CM, a-la Lampard/Gerrard. Fantastic talent
 

Zehner

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Kroos problem is his slow reactions. You can play AM well enough without acceleration and dribbling. Just look at James, Eriksen, even De Bruyne

Havertz in my opinion will become a sort of attacking CM, a-la Lampard/Gerrard. Fantastic talent
Of course you can play it but apart from De Bruyne (who is much more dynamic than Kroos), none of these players are as good in their roles as Kroos is in his and I'd argue that Kroos in the number 10 role would be better than Eriksen or James. I also dont think Kroos has slow reactions, he is very good in finding solutions in tight situations to retain possession and you need to be quick-minded for that.

I think it is more a question of your mindset. Some players primary goal is to control the game (Kroos, Xavi, Scholes etc.) and some primarily create momentum (Iniesta, Özil, Modric, Silva, Isco, ...). You need both and some of the greatest midfield partnerships consist of these two types complemented by a ball winning DM like Busquets, Casemiro or Fernandinho. Havertz belongs in the latter category and thus I don't think you can compare him with Kroos. He's perfectly suited for the Iniesta/Modric/David Silva role as an offensive number 8 in a three man midfield. Alternatively as a second striker or 10 in a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 system. Don't see him as a playmaking 6 or even a box-to-box midfielder though.
 

Zehner

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Just scored another match wonner, this time with a header :cool: Brandt assisted him. Both had a very good game, really looks like these two have found each other.
 

Don Alfredo

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Just scored another match wonner, this time with a header :cool: Brandt assisted him. Both had a very good game, really looks like these two have found each other.
Future world-cup winning duo:drool:
 

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Of course you can play it but apart from De Bruyne (who is much more dynamic than Kroos), none of these players are as good in their roles as Kroos is in his and I'd argue that Kroos in the number 10 role would be better than Eriksen or James. I also dont think Kroos has slow reactions, he is very good in finding solutions in tight situations to retain possession and you need to be quick-minded for that.

I think it is more a question of your mindset. Some players primary goal is to control the game (Kroos, Xavi, Scholes etc.) and some primarily create momentum (Iniesta, Özil, Modric, Silva, Isco, ...). You need both and some of the greatest midfield partnerships consist of these two types complemented by a ball winning DM like Busquets, Casemiro or Fernandinho. Havertz belongs in the latter category and thus I don't think you can compare him with Kroos. He's perfectly suited for the Iniesta/Modric/David Silva role as an offensive number 8 in a three man midfield. Alternatively as a second striker or 10 in a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 system. Don't see him as a playmaking 6 or even a box-to-box midfielder though.
I'm sold. The missing piece in our midfield. Hope we are looking at him.

Edit: The Leverkusen team looks VERY young

@Don Alfredo
Götze rejected us already. Dont think we'll ever go back for him. And if he's available from Dortmund on the cheap is he really what we should be targeting?
We also almost have a complete team whereby we only need one more player so can spend 50-80 if needed to get a top player there.
 
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Don Alfredo

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I'm sold. The missing piece in our midfield. Hope we are looking at him.
I actually think you guys should get Gotze. He will be available on a cheap in winter and wozld give you instant playmaking from No 10 which you lack.
 

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I actually think you guys should get Gotze. He will be available on a cheap in winter and wozld give you instant playmaking from No 10 which you lack.
Playing a 10 means sacrificing a midfielder, which ruins the balance with Pogba who is finally performing. The main issue is the quality of our forward 3, they are not producing.

I like Havertz too but might not be what we need right now.
 

unplayable

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I actually think you guys should get Gotze. He will be available on a cheap in winter and wozld give you instant playmaking from No 10 which you lack.
He is so bad it hurts. Really sad to see the player he has become. Was a genuinely exciting talent when he broke through.
 

Don Alfredo

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Playing a 10 means sacrificing a midfielder, which ruins the balance with Pogba who is finally performing. The main issue is the quality of our forward 3, they are not producing.

I like Havertz too but might not be what we need right now.
@Bergman is a Liverpool fan, I meant them.

Goetze could be the player to come in against park the bus sides to break the deadlock. He needs a manager who loves him and Klopp is exactly that. I am sure he would be a success not as best XI member, but as a game changing squad member. You need those late in the campaign to win the league.
 
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Playing a 10 means sacrificing a midfielder, which ruins the balance with Pogba who is finally performing. The main issue is the quality of our forward 3, they are not producing.

I like Havertz too but might not be what we need right now.
Not necessarily - we could play a diamond 442 with a #10
 

Zehner

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So far he's at 4 goals and 3 assists in 10 games (855 minutes) and many of those were as a CM. Today it was announced that he's been the fastest recorded player of the Bundesliga so far with 35 km/h.

I tell you, this guy is the real deal :cool:
 

awop

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So far he's at 4 goals and 3 assists in 10 games (855 minutes) and many of those were as a CM. Today it was announced that he's been the fastest recorded player of the Bundesliga so far with 35 km/h.

I tell you, this guy is the real deal :cool:
Mbappe's run against Argentina was lowered down to 32/33 km/h, do you have a video of that record ? :eek:
 

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If he can reach even close to the heights of Kai Hansen of Helloween I am all for it!
 

Zehner

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Mbappe's run against Argentina was lowered down to 32/33 km/h, do you have a video of that record ? :eek:
Just saw the info on Facebook but if I come across any footage I'll share it here :)