Florian Wirtz: The Next Kai Havertz?

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From now on, any youngster who comes through the ranks at Bayer Leverkusen is bound to be compared to Kai Havertz.

Havertz joined Leverkusen’s academy back in 2010 before making his first-team debut in 2016. He went on to make 150 appearances for the club, racking up 46 goals and 31 assists along the way.

In 2020, Chelsea signed Havertz for an initial £62 million. If all contractual add-on requirements are met, the deal could reach £71 million.

As it stands, Havertz is Leverkusen’s highest-profile export. But if the early stages of Florian Wirtz’s career are anything to go by, that could change in the coming years.

At just 18, Wirtz has already made 74 senior appearances for the club. The gifted attacking midfielder is arguably Leverkusen’s most important player – and he is still only a teenager.

Wirtz burst onto the scene back in 2020, making his first-team debut when he was just 17 years and 15 days old. Funnily enough, he broke Havertz’s record as Leverkusen’s youngest Bundesliga player.

The following month, he became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history when found the net against Bayern Munich.

Last season, Wirtz played 38 games for Leverkusen across all competitions. He racked up eight goals and eight assists, including five goals and six assists in the Bundesliga.

He has taken his game to another level this season, however. Having made 27 appearances, the skillful prodigy has bagged ten goals and 13 assists.

Back in December, Wirtz also became the youngest players to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances – aged just 18 years and 223 days.

It is worth noting that Wirtz already has four international caps under his belt, too. He was handed his Germany debut in September 2021 and has since chalked up two assists for his country.

As long as he continues to shine for both club and country, the comparisons to Havertz will keep on heading in Wirtz’s direction.

Judging by his recent performances, there is no reason why he can’t follow in Havertz’s footsteps and make it to the very top of the game.