DFB star Kai Havertz is one of the top transfers from English runners-up FC Arsenal, and the offensive player should provide the necessary goals in the future. But on the sidelines of the trip to the USA with his new employer, the 24-year-old didn’t make a very good impression: Havertz really embarrassed himself in an MLS challenge.
Arsenal FC is getting in shape for the new season in the USA. In addition to the first training sessions, marketing appointments are also on the agenda as usual, after all, the Premier League should continue to be important overseas and attract new fans.
An appointment for the Londoners: the “MLS All-Star Skills Challenge”, which is intended to give the spectators on site a small exchange of blows between the professionals of Arsenal FC and those of the domestic league. Players from both camps compete against each other in several small duels and demonstrate their technical skills on the ball.
Arsenal’s newcomer Kai Havertz, signed by Chelsea for at least 75 million euros, should also show his indisputably exceptional skills. But instead of shining, the man from Aachen had a bad day.
Ex-BVB goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet against Havertz
Because: In the volley challenge, Havertz never managed to get the leather in the goal. His team-mates hit the penalty area from the side, flank after flank. Sometimes Havertz jumped the ball, sometimes he only hit aluminum. And if the shot went in the direction of the goal, former BVB goalkeeper Roman Bürki was there.
It was the first time that a goalkeeper was ever able to keep a clean sheet in this challenge.
MLS professional Dénis Bouanga then showed how it’s done: He collected 95 points and secured the point for his team. There were 20 points for a kick, 15 for a volley, 10 for a goal with previous contact and at least 5 if the ball landed in the goal after contact on the ground.
Kai Havertz will now be able to prove in the game against the MLS Allstars on Thursday that he is one of the best offensive players ever. This is followed by friendlies against Manchester United and FC Barcelona.