Kai Havertz: The German international being tipped to replace Mesut Ozil at the Emirates and compared to Michael Ballack

Kai Havertz: The German international being tipped to replace Mesut Ozil at the Emirates and compared to Michael Ballack
The question that has been asked most often at Arsenal this season is, whether or not Mesut Ozil will remain at the club this summer?Despite long being considered as a world-class player, the German has slowly declined over the past 18 months, with his role reduced to that of a bit-part player under Unai Emery.3

Ozil is not part of Emery’s plans

Even though he is the highest earner at the club, with two-years left on his contract, Arsenal are keen to get rid of the World Cup winner who is not a long-term part of the manager’s plans.And if they do, it would seem the Gunners have got a ready made replacement to fill his void.Rising German star Kai Havertz has enjoyed a promising season with Bayer Leverkusen and has 11 goals in all competitions, courting interest from footballing heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid.And it’s likely he’ll be in action for his nation – live on talkSPORT 2 – against Serbia on Wednesday night. The 19-year-old is a classy, technically astute midfielder and like any gifted individual, they are naturally compared to their nations’ star players.Think Neymar/Pele, Wayne Rooney/ Paul Gascoigne, Lionel Messi/ Maradona, you get the picture.In the case of Havertz, similarities have been draw to midfield legend Michael Ballack, he is also 6ft 2, and like the ex-Chelsea man is adept using either foot and is an excellent passer of the ball.Former Leverkusen boss Heiko Herrlich once remarked that Havertz is the most talented player he has seen since Real Madrid conductor Toni Kroos.3

Havertz is making a name for himself in the Bundesliga

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Comparisons have been made with Michael Ballack

His versatility would be a major asset to an Arsenal side who could end the summer without Ozil and will definitely be without Aaron Ramsey, once he departs for Juventus.While Havertz is capable of playing across the midfield, even out wide, he is best suited to a central role, behind the strikers as a number ten, where he is most dangerous.

LIVE on talkSPORT

There are eight live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...

• Germany vs Serbia (Wednesday) – talkSPORT 2
• Kazakhstan vs Scotland (Thursday) – talkSPORT 2
• England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
• Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
• Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2

Yes goals and assists are a huge part of Havertz’s game, but there is more to him than a mindless desire to continuously attack.While Ozil is hailed for his contributions in the final third, his ability to assist others, tracking back and busting a gut to retrieve possession has never been his forte. This would not be an issue with Havertz.According to bundesliga.com, the youngster has made 221 successful tackles this season, which ranks him 12th in the league. This awareness and understanding of what is expected at such a young age is extremely impressive.Arsenal would do well to bring the German on board sooner rather than later and with his best years still ahead of him, the Emirates could very well be the venue for him to flourish.

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