‘Able to do everything’: Joshua Kimmich blown away by ‘quality’ Chelsea player's technical ability

By Nathaniel Kay

Joshua Kimmich complimented Chelsea forward Kai Havertz for his natural ability on the ball.

Speaking to the BBC World Cup Daily podcast, Kimmich addressed the quality his German compatriot with glowing terms.

Havertz will potentially be lining up beside the Bayern Munich midfielder for their country’s World Cup opener against Japan on Wednesday.

Both have heavily been involved in the national team in the past few years and were starters at the European Championships last summer.

But their journey came to an abrupt end in the round of 16, with England winning 2-0 at Wembley Stadium courtesy of goals from Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.

Havertz has the talent

Sterling has since joined Chelsea, where he can now call Havertz a colleague rather than rival.

They were enemies for two separate 90 minutes however in the most recent meetings between England and Germany.

A pair of draws were played out in the Nations League earlier this year, with Havertz staring in the second showdown.

He scored twice in a frantic fixture in the English capital which eventually ended 3-3.

Hansi Flick started the 23-year-old through the middle of the attack in that game, a position some view as his best for club and country.

“Kai Havertz is maybe a number nine for us and sometimes in London. I know him as a number ten there as Leverkusen,” said Kimmich.

Havertz’s aerial presence, movement and general footballing intelligence make him an ideal modern striker.

Yet, it is the Chelsea attacker’s ability in possession that makes Kimmich tingle the most.

“With the ball he is able to do everything. The goal he scored in the Champions League was unbelievable and the goal he scored against England was great,” continued the Bayern star on his comrade.

“Similar to Jamal (Musiala), a lot of talent, a lot of quality and I think he will perform really good at the World Cup.”

Kai in the eye of the World

A strong display in Qatar is exactly what the doctor ordered for Havertz, following a slow start to the season in Chelsea colours.

His performances have wavered domestically, with fans and pundits unsure of which version will turn up each week.

And turn up he must at the World Cup, otherwise further questions will be asked of Kai.

Nathaniel Kay

"Nathaniel is a football journalist who graduated from the University of Derby. He worked at Burton Albion as part of their media team for two years. Nathaniel produced regular articles for the club’s official website and match-day programme. He covered the 2018 U20 Women’s World Cup in Brittany and has reported from grounds ranging from non-league up to the Premier League. Nathaniel is a full-time writer for the Chelsea Chronicle, and was formerly their social media man. His footballing career reached the sparkling heights of winning the Under-13s Bloxham Tournament in 2011."