Why Kai Havertz will be key for Germany's success this summer

Julian Nagelsmann has made six significant changes to his Germany squad. But Kai Havertz will be key in the Bundestrainer's big gambit ahead of the Euros.

It felt like a revolution when Julian Nagelsmann announced his Germany squad for the upcoming friendlies against France (Mar. 21) and the Netherlands (Mar. 26).

Six new faces were announced as part of the team, among them were two new center-forwards, Deniz Undav (Stuttgart) and Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim). But while those two will, without a doubt, be given playing time over the course of the two friendlies, an already established player might be crucial for Nagelsmann’s big gambit to be successful: Kai Havertz.

As this author recently pointed out in an article for Transfermarkt, Havertz’s form for Arsenal over the last couple of months has been sensational. Four goals and two assists in his last four Premier League games are impressive. Havertz’s eight goals in the Premier League rank him second only to Bukayo Saka among all Arsenal players this season, and there is time for the Germans to improve further while his club pushes for the title.