Nagelsmann’s unorthodox target man – why Kai Havertz is crucial to Germany beating Spain

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Ideal No.9? 

For many, Friday’s Euro 2024 clash between Germany and Spain could and perhaps should have been the kind of tantalising tie that was saved for the final of this summer’s competition. Following a frustrating start for France and a faltering campaign for England, both Spain and Germany have emerged as not only the most entertaining teams to watch at this year’s tournament but also undoubtedly the frontrunners for silverware. And for many, whoever emerges from the MHPArena victorious will likely go on and win the competition in full. 

As such, not only will Julian Nagelsmann be feeling the pressure of being German national team head coach as he enters his 10 month in the job, but will also be facing a foe that far outweighs anything the hosts have had to face to date. Following a group stage that was little more than a formality and a hard-fought win over plucky Denmark, Germany know that they’ll have to be at their very best to beat the only team left in the tournament to have won each of their four games. And, curiously enough, at the very heart of any plan Nagelsmann devises to beat Spain, will likely be a striker that still has some way to go before he’s won over his critics, in the form of Kai Havertz. 

Indeed, since departing Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 to join Chelsea for a sizable sum of money, Havertz has found himself on a transformative journey that has seen him go from being a fast wide player or attacking midfielder to what he and his head coaches for club and country now undoubtedly would call a classic striker. Over the course of the last five seasons, we’ve seen Havertz go from playing up front just eight times for Leverkusen in all competitions, to making over half of his total appearances as a forward for club and country in the last two seasons. And while many may remain unconvinced of his ability to stick the ball in the net, there’s little doubt that he’s doing exactly what’s being asked of him by Nagelsmann at Euro 2024. 

In a typical 4-2-3-1 system that has Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala on either wing and Ilkay Gündoğan through the middle as a No.10, Havertz’s role for Germany is first and foremost to find a way to play off the attacking players behind him that have a clear eye for goal. And that has worked surprisingly well, with Musiala already bagging three goals so far in the competition, while Wirtz and Gündoğan both have one apiece. Not only has Havertz’s movement and technical ability made him the perfect link-up partner for the attacking trio, but he also already has one direct assist to his name, after helping Musiala to a goal in the opening clash against Scotland. 

However, that’s not to say that Havertz doesn’t have an eye for goal. According to UEFA’s own tournament stats, only Cristiano Ronaldo has had more attempts on goal than the German striker at Euro 2024 and when it comes to shots on target no player has attempted more than the Arsenal striker. While Havertz hasn’t actually scored from open play just yet, the two penalties he’s scored – against Scotland and Denmark – have shown that he’s perfectly capable of showing the composure needed to stick the ball in the back of the net when called upon. 

In Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, Spain have some truly outstanding forward players and if that wasn’t frightening enough they also have world class midfielders like Rodri and Pedri to back them up. But if Germany are to win Friday’s clash and make a claim for this summer’s tournament they’ll have to make sure they can out score their opponents. And while Havertz may not be the first name most football fans think of when they’re asked to picture a tournament-winning goalscorer, the Arsenal talisman may be exactly what Nagelsmann’s side need to reach the final.