Wayne Rooney has tipped Kai Havertz to rival the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the World Cup golden boot. The 23-year-old is set to play a key role for Germany in Qatar later this month as Hansi Flick looks to nurse his homeland's international football misery.
Die Mannschaft failed to qualify for the round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup, finishing bottom of their group on just three points. Then, in the European championships last year, Germany qualified for the round of 16, but England quickly stopped them in their tracks.
Havertz was a key component in his homeland's success in the Euros as he led the line with former Chelsea teammate Timo Werner and Bayern Munich playmaker Thomas Muller. The Blues forward is poised to play as much of a role this winter with Werner suffering a late injury. Rooney has tipped the 23-year-old to contend for the golden boot.
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"I think Kai Havertz will have a good tournament," the former Manchester United striker told The Times. Then, when asked for his golden boot contenders at the World Cup, he replied: "[Kylian] Mbappe, [Karim] Benzema and Harry [Kane] are all strong contenders.
"As I said, I think Havertz will have a good tournament. You cannot rule out [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, I'm sure will chip in with a few goals. You never know with Romelu Lukaku… he could be the difference for Belgium in terms of how they do."
Fellow countryman Joshua Kimmich is in agreement with Rooney. Speaking to the BBC World Cup Daily podcast, the Bayern Munich midfielder spoke of Havertz's quality.
"Kai Havertz is maybe a number nine for us and sometimes in London," Kimmich said. "I know him as a number ten there as Leverkusen.
"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. Similar to Jamal [Musiala], a lot of talent, a lot of quality, and I think he will perform really good at the World Cup."
Havertz will be keen to impress at Qatar, having often struggled for form at Chelsea this season. He's produced moments of magic and impressed in glimpses, so any form garnered at the World Cup will excite Graham Potter.
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