KAI HAVERTZ is the hottest homegrown talent in Germany, with Chelsea, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs keen on bringing him to England.
So SunSport ran the rule over Bayer Leverkusen’s £70million-rated hitman against Borussia Monchengladbach — and two-goal Havertz certainly lived up to the hype.
Kai Havertz has been turning heads in the Premier League – SunSport checks out whyCredit: EPA
FINISHING
Ultimately the one thing all forwards are judged by… and it took seven minutes to reach a verdict.
Havertz, 20, had a key role in the move for the opener and when Moussa Diaby slid him in, he finished coolly with his “wrong” right foot between the legs of keeper Yann Sommer.
Similar to Robin van Persie in appearance and, in time, he could prove just as deadly.
Held his nerve for his second from the spot too, despite a lengthy VAR check.
MOVEMENT
It is one thing having an eye for the goal but another in knowing when, why and how to make the right run.
But Havertz already looks an old head in that respect and his always-on-the-go approach makes him a nightmare to defend against.
One minute he was making an angled run down the left wing, the next he was scorching down the right, teeing up chances for Diaby and Kerem Demirbay.
Even in the middle, he was not static, dropping short and leaving space for others or getting a shot away given half a chance.
Could play anywhere in the front three.
Kai Havertz was in great form in the win over MonchengladbachCredit: EPA
STRENGTH & TEMPERAMENT
A wiry frame suggests he could be an easy target for centre-backs.
But do not be fooled — when they tried to rough him up, he bounced back up and got on with it.
Always willing to offer himself as a target, strong enough to hold up the ball and comfortable with being a leader.
You can see why he is skipper, even at his tender age.
So often the physicality of the English league has been a rude awakening for imports but you get the impression he would relish the battle.
WORK-RATE
He may be the focal point of the team but Havertz has no problem putting in a shift and doing the “dirty” work.
If the Monchengladbach backline dwelt on the ball, he was snapping at their heels.
Reminiscent of Ian Rush, who was the first line of defence for the great Liverpool sides of old, which makes Havertz a manager’s dream.
And when Leverkusen were in possession, he was just as happy to make runs or drop short and open up space for midfielders like Demirbay.
VERDICT
Most kids of 20 are very much a rough diamond but while he is far from the finished article, this kid is as rounded a player as you will see at his age.
It is not a question of whether those interested Premier League clubs should make a move, more a case of can they get in first?
Havertz is going to be the real deal… and he is not far short of it already.
Borussia Monchengladbach to be greeted by thousands of cardboard cutout fans as Bundesliga returns to Borussia-Park
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
