Havertz speaks on Leverkusen's season and upcoming meeting with Bayern
In an interview with Sky Sports, German national team striker of Arsenal FC spoke on both his former German club and the one his EPL side are preparing to face in the Champions' League.
Things have undoubtedly "clicked" for 24-year-old German attacking talent Kai Havertz since his move to the Isle in the autumn of 2020. The former Leverkusen academy man can now boast of finding success at two of the EPL's main London sides. Following three successful years at Chelsea FC, the 44-times-capped German senior team international moved to North London's Arsenal for a €75 million transfer sum this past summer.
Havertz has enjoyed a successful stint with the Gunners (nine goals in 37 appearances across all competitions) and receives regular praise from head-coach Mikel Arteta. The still relatively young talent appears poised to shine for Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann's Nationalmannschaft in the Euros this coming summer. A Saturday interview with Sky Sports nevertheless didn't focus much on Havertz's club or international career.
The British broadcaster wished to know what Havertz thought of the success of his former academy club. The player's feelings on facing German giants FC Bayern München in a massive UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie were also of interest. Havertz - like many other Bundesliga watchers - made certain to note that Bayern were not to be taken lightly despite the fact that they will capture neither league nor domestic cup glory this season.
"Bayern's season isn't as bad as it was made out to be," Havertz said, "A month or so ago, when the top game between Leverkusen and Bayern took place, Leverkusen hadn't lost a game in the season and Bayern were still only two points behind. Sure, [the points gap] is larger now, but I think [that means] they'll be fully focused on the Champions League now. I expect a tough battle against a good team with a top quality coach."
"[Leverkusen] deserve credit for an outstanding season," Havertz added when asked about his former club, "I follow the games. I love the club. It's a club at which I played football for ten years. Ever since I was little, ever since I can remember, it was always the club I wanted to be at. So, of course, I'm extremely happy that they will hopefully win a title or two this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the lads."
"I'm someone who doesn't come out of my shell so easily in a new environment," Havertz said of his current club position with Arsenal, "It always takes me a few weeks or months. I think it has definitely 'clicked' after an adjustment period. I feel extremely comfortable. I love the club, I love the players, the staff and I love the fans. It was absolutely the right thing for me to do."