Heading into Euro 2024, the two players tipped to score the most goals are quite rightfully France’s Kylian Mbappe and England striker Harry Kane. They’ve both been prolific domestically once again, and it looks like it could be a two-horse race. However, could Arsenal and Germany’s man of the moment, Kai Havertz, upstage them both this summer?
Havertz, 24, signed for Arsenal from Chelsea last summer, and the plan was for him to play in an attacking midfield role for Mikel Arteta’s team. He’s proven himself capable of linking play, and his physical stature is also a significant asset. At times, it’s fair to say that The Gunners were in need of someone to put the ball in the back of the net, and after a period of tinkering, Havertz found himself up front. And more crucially, amongst the goals.
Havertz ended the season at Arsenal, scoring fourteen goals and making seven assists, with eight of those strikes coming when playing through the middle as a striker. His record in this position reads eighteen games played, eight goals scored, and seven assists made, which is some going. He’s set to lead the line for Germany in the coming weeks but remains an outsider where the Euro 2024 betting markets for the tournament’s top goalscorer are concerned.
Mbappe, Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo and even Jude Bellingham are ahead of Havertz in the odds list. Still, there are reasons to believe that the German could upstage everyone and play a pivotal role in any success his country has. Germany being the host nation of Euro 2024 is one of the initial reasons, as they will have home support and be backed in huge numbers. While there will be pressure for them to succeed, the backing they receive will be unlike anything else and should work in their favour, which means Havertz could reap the rewards.
Havertz also heads into this tournament off the back of a very successful first season with Arsenal. In his last fourteen Premier League appearances, he managed to score nine goals and create six for teammates. He went from struggling to find the back of the net to oozing with confidence after finding his feet in the team, with goals and assists following. He’s at the top of his game right now, and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is more than capable of giving Havertz the fuel to keep his form going and his confidence high.
You also can’t forget that Havertz brings many qualities to the table, too. He’s around 6’4 in height, making him a threat in the air. Coupled with his aggression, he will be a nightmare for defenders this summer. Havertz is also adept at using his frame to bring others into play, so the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, amongst others, will benefit from this. As proven in recent months, while many doubted him, Havertz is a goalscorer. A scorer of all types of goals. And others may not have that in their locker at the Euros.
