Kai Havertz Doesn't See Undav as a Rival in Germany's Attack, Values His Role

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz doesn't view Deniz Undav as a rival for a starting spot in the German national team for the World Cup.

"I really appreciate that he's here," Havertz stated regarding the Stuttgart striker, who has scored three goals in two matches coming off the bench. "We needed Deniz. He also scored against Ivory Coast," Kai Havertz added to "Die Zeit" newspaper.

With Germany already qualified for the Round of 16, coach Julian Nagelsmann might consider rotating the squad for their final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup against Ecuador in New Jersey, leading some analysts to question whether Undav should start.

Havertz, who netted two goals in the 7-1 victory over Curaçao, commented that he and Undav could start together. "Ultimately, we can play well together – me behind him or alongside him. I'm happy for any teammate who performs well. We are a team," he declared.

"I'm not one to raise my voice before a match. We have others with leading roles – Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, and Pascal Groß as well. They are all over 30. I see myself more in the same age group as Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. But I also want to lead when things aren't going our way," Kai Havertz explained.

Playing in the Premier League, Havertz isn't in the spotlight for German fans to the same extent as his Bundesliga teammates, and he believes this might lead some to underestimate him: "That was sometimes the case with Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan, who played abroad for years."

Havertz also mentioned that he has his own strategy when it comes to scoring goals. "Defenders should never know where I am, where I'm going, or what I'm doing. That's the worst thing for them. I try to be a ghost for defenders," the Arsenal player stated.