- Havertz wants a life away from football
- Would rather be a student than a footballer
- Arsenal star also spoke about his favourite position
WHAT HAPPENED?
The forward arrived with high expectations, given his impressive track record in Germany. However, his tenure at Chelsea was marred by inconsistency as he could manage just 32 goals and 12 assists in 139 appearances before making a £65 million ($82m) move to Arsenal.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Adapting to Mikel Arteta’s system and integrating into a new team dynamic proved difficult initially. Despite these hurdles, Havertz’s performance has seen a marked improvement over time and he ended up with 13 goals in 37 Premier League appearances in the 2023-24 campaign.
WHAT HAVERTZ SAID
The pressure and scrutiny of top-flight football can be overwhelming, a reality Havertz has candidly acknowledged. Reflecting on his experiences, he admitted to moments when he longed for a simpler life away from the spotlight.
In an interview with Welt am Sonntag (via TZ), he said: “Sometimes I think to myself that I would rather be a student who lives in a cool city and lives his life. But that usually goes away pretty quickly because I love playing football. The hustle and bustle around it is part of it. That’s fun too; “Of course, more when things are going well.
“And if that’s not the case, things go extremely wrong. Then you are devastated and exhausted because there is ridicule and criticism. But I can now deal with it very well and try to live my life as normally as possible.”
DID YOU KNOW?
As Havertz heads into Euro 2024 with Germany, he does so with renewed confidence after evolving in his role as a more traditional number nine – a transition that began during his time at Chelsea and is now in full bloom at Arsenal.
“I clearly see myself as a number nine in the national team – and that’s what I am now at Arsenal,” he added. However, he distinguishes himself from traditional strikers who simply wait for scoring opportunities in the box. “Even Erling Haaland or Harry Kane, who you immediately think of, don’t just stand in the box and wait for the finish. The players who are waiting there no longer exist in modern football. I am someone who enjoys letting go and making deep runs. But it is also clear to me that I will be measured by goals.”
WHAT NEXT FOR HAVERTZ?
Havertz is gearing up to make a significant impact in Euro 2024 and will be in action against Scotland in the tournament opener on June 14 at Allianz Arena.
