U21.TV Matchday Duel: Havertz vs. Davies

Kicking off our weekly Matchday Duel series is the final of this year’s DFB-Pokal, pitting two of the hottest young stars in German football: Leverkusen’s 21-year-old top scorer Kai Havertz against this season’s Bundesliga Rookie of the Year, Bayern’s 19-year-old Alphonso Davies.

While both players have had spectacular seasons, it is safe to say that Bayer Leverkusen would not have been fighting for a Champions League spot until the very last fixture if it were not for Kai Havertz. The young creative midfielder spearheaded Leverkusen’s campaign with thunderous performances, finishing this Bundesliga season with 12 goals and 6 assists.

With a staggering market value of 81M, Kai Havertz could be one of this transfer season’s biggest catches. He has recently been linked to top clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and – guess who – Bayern München. While both Havertz and Bayer Leverkusen have dismissed any transfer rumors, we may very well see a move from the young midfielder soon, especially since the club failed to clinch a spot in next year’s Champions League.

And though Bayern München has shown interest in the German midfielder, that does not mean the reigning champion does not have wonderkids of its own. Canadian left-back Alphonso Davies arrived to the German powerhouse at the age of eighteen, after impressive performances for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018. Within two years, Davies rose through Bayern’s ranks to become the team’s starting left-back, consistently dazzling fans and foes with his outstanding speed and versatility.

With five more years on his contract, Alphonso Davies is already a staple in Bayern’s starting XI, and could very soon claim the leading role in a star-studded team. On the other hand, Havertz looks ready to leave Bayer Leverkusen and join a club that can fulfill his international aspirations. This is truly the recipe for one of the most exciting games of the season, as two of the best young players in the world seek to assert their dominance in the German Cup final.

Other duels you can’t miss this weekend

FRIDAY, JULY 3

• João Félix (Atlético Madrid) vs. Takefusa Kubo (Mallorca)

SATURDAY, JULY 4

• Max Aarons (Norwich) vs. Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion)
• Filip Marchwínski (Lech Poznan) vs. Michal Karbownik (Legia Warszawa)
• Mykola Shaparenko (D. Kiev) vs. Tetê (Shaktar Donetsk)

SUNDAY, JULY 5

• Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal) vs. Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
• Alessandro Bastoni (Internazionale) vs. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Bologna)
• Fábio Silva (FC Porto) vs. Nilton Varela (CF Belenenses)