Matthäus backs Havertz as Germany’s starting striker and tips Woltemade and Füllkrug to battle for backup role

Matthäus backs Havertz as Germany’s starting striker and tips Woltemade and Füllkrug to battle for backup role
Germany legend Lothar Matthäus believes Kai Havertz is a “guaranteed starter” for Jürgen Klopp’s team when fit and available.
Matthäus points to Havertz’s role up front for Premier League champions Arsenal as evidence of the level the 27-year-old can play at.
“Up front, I see Kai Havertz as a guaranteed starter and without much competition. He plays in this position for the current Premier League champions and Champions League finalists, Arsenal,” Matthäus told Sport Bild of the 27-year-old Arsenal forward, who was forced to withdraw from the Germany squad after picking up an injury in the first game of the international break, a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.
Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade, currently on loan at Juventus, is Havertz’s main challenger for the No. 9 spot, but Matthäus warns that his recent dip in form could see him lose that position.
“Nick Woltemade has to wait his turn and first establish himself at his club, Juventus. Woltemade, who once again struggled, may even have to fight for his role as a backup,” Matthäus said. 
One player who could challenge Woltemade is Niclas Füllkrug, who has made an impressive start to the season on loan at Werder Bremen from West Ham United.
“The answer to our lack of goals in attack could be Niclas Füllkrug. He is scoring goals again at Werder, is strong in the air and knows where the net is,” said Matthäus, while also pointing to Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi, who is yet to decide whether to represent Germany or Italy.
Füllkrug, 33, boasts an impressive record of 14 goals in 24 games for Germany, but hasn’t represented his country since June 2025.