Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann addressed calls for Kai Havertz to be dropped and replaced by Niclas Fullkrug for Euro last 16 clash with Denmark.
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Nagelsmann discusses Germany strikers
Havertz struggling to find the net
Fullkrug is the in-form alternative
WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite a lack of open-play goals from the Arsenal forward so far, Nagelsmann highlighted the "clear job" Havertz has performed during the tournament. The coach explained that he is valued much higher within the squad than by critics on the outside because there is more to being a striker than scoring.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Havertz has been starting games and not scoring – aside from a penalty against Scotland, but what fans are taking away is the fact that Fullkrug has twice found the net off the bench. The 31-year-old is a late bloomer at this level and has scored 13 times in just 19 Germany games. But the majority have been as a sub.
WHAT NAGELSMANN SAID
Nagelsmann told : "If you look at it from the outside, a demand for Fülle is understandable, even though Kai comes off much worse in the public assessment. He has a clear job in many games, which means that he doesn't have many ball actions because he should create space for others. He did that exceptionally well. In the internal assessment, Kai is ranked much higher than in the public. For the striker, it's not always just about scoring a goal. If you're substituted and the opponent is already tired, you might have a little more space. Fülle has a good rating, but Kai is an important player for us. We'll see who starts [against Denmark]."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GERMANY?
Havertz would go a long way to silencing his critics if he could get on the scoresheet against Denmark in the last 16. The tie on Saturday evening (8pm, BST), is a potentially tricky one for the hosts. Things won't get easier if they win, as a likely quarter-final against Spain is on the cards after that.