Ex-Liverpool midfielder slams Kai Havertz and his goalscoring ability ahead of Euro 2024

Didi Hamann has urged Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann NOT to use Kai Havertz up front in their Euro 2024 curtain-raiser against Scotland despite his blistering end to the season with Arsenal.

Die Mannschaft face Scotland in the opening game at Allianz Arena tonight with pressure mounting on the host nation to impress. After winning the 2014 World Cup and reaching the semi-final of Euro 2016, Germany have failed to progress past the last 16 stage in each of the three major tournaments since.

Despite this, there is expectation for Germany to excel and that is only going to increase the scrutiny on someone like Havertz, who is set to start as the centre forward against Scotland. The 25-year-old has started up front in each of their last four matches, scoring twice against France and Greece.

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However, ex-Liverpool and Germany star Hamann is adamant he does not want to see Havertz as the lone No.9. In an extraordinary interview, Hamann criticised his goalscoring ability and believes he "flatters to deceive" during matches. Havertz ended the Premier League season with nine goals and five assists in 14 matches as Mikel Arteta used him ahead of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as the striker.

Speaking to Prime Casino, Hamann said: "Havertz, he is not a centre forward. He had a decent end to the season, but for me he still flatters to deceive most of the time. I think he's capable of so much more. Is he the presence up there that will score the goals for Germany and get us deep into the tournament? I'm not sure that he is.

"Versatility is good, but he’s at that stage of his career where he needs to define his role. If you asked a hundred people what his best position is, you would probably get a lot of different answers. He's not a centre forward, but he's not prolific enough to score goals or create chances as an offensive midfielder."

Havertz had to bat away critics at the start of his Arsenal career, after he moved for £65million from Chelsea in June 2023. Arteta used him as an attacking midfielder and that role didn't exactly suit him. It took Havertz seven appearances to score his first goal, with it coming in a 4-0 win at Bournemouth.

Many expected that to give Havertz the platform to build on but the German remained inconsistent, scoring just three times in his next 16 Premier League appearances. However, due to the poor form of Jesus and Nketiah, Arteta decided to give him a go up front - an area in which he played regularly for Chelsea.

After that, Havertz emerged as one of the most in-form players in the division, directly contributing to 14 goals in his remaining 14 matches as he helped the Gunners challenge Manchester City for the title. His form, at times, was frightening but Hamann doesn't see Havertz as the main man.

Nevertheless, this is a very good test to see where Havertz is at and if he can handle the pressure. There isn't many bigger roles than leading the line for your country in a home tournament and a fine Euro 2024 would no doubt put him in an excellent position to kick on for Arsenal next season.