Several Arsenal stars have struggled at Euro 2024 despite ending the Premier League season in superb form.
With England delivering yet another disappointing performance as they drew with Slovenia, both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been criticised, whilst Leandro Trossard was even dropped by Belgium after a disappointing opening game.
Kai Havertz’s first game of the tournament was a different story to Trossard’s, as the attacker shone for Germany with a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Scotland.
With the hosts qualifying for the knockout rounds with relative ease, Havertz continued to lead the line fo the Euro 2024 hosts as they drew against Switzerland, but he was slammed for a poor display, whilst substitute striker Nicklas Fullkrug also impressed with another goal.
This led to calls in Germany that Havertz should be dropped for the Borussia Dortmund striker, but International football legend Miroslav Klose has now defended the Arsenal star.
Miroslav Klose defends Arsenal star Kai Havertz after Germany criticism at Euro 2024
Speaking via German outlet WELT, Klose, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 alongside Mesut Ozil, claimed that Havertz has performed well enough to keep his starting spot ahead of Fullkrug.
“I’ve heard that the defence is causing problems, it’s not the attack that’s causing problems. It’s always a decision from the coach, but I don’t think Kai Havertz has played badly,” said Klose.
“It’s also important that you always have players who can come in and make a difference. Everyone knows what Füllkrug can do, and I’ve said it often enough, and basically talked him into the National Team. Thank God he was able to confirm it now,” Klose added.
Kai Havertz should still start ahead of Nicklas Fullkrug at Euro 2024
Heading into the tournament, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann hinted that his selection of Havertz as his starting striker was partly based on his excellent Arsenal form, and in part due to a belief that Fullkrug would have more impact than him as a substitute.
Havertz was quiet in the last two games, but his movement helps create a fluid attack for Germany alongside Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
Fullkrug’s ability to impact the game off the bench should mean that for now, the same dynamic is kept, with the Arsenal star leading the line and the Dortmund striker replacing him for the late game impact, but Havertz may now know that he needs to step up in the knockout stages.