SOCCER: Havertz embraces 'good problem' of Germany's forward firepower ahead of World Cup

CHICAGO — Kai Havertz said Germany’s attacking players are not in competition with one another for starting roles but are focused on working together as the team prepares for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in a virtual press conference following the team’s arrival in the United States on Tuesday, Havertz said the depth of attacking talent in the squad is a major advantage.

“We have many options in attack,” Havertz said. “It is a very good problem to have. It is much better to have more good players than fewer in the team.”

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has a wide range of attacking options, including Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Nick Woltemade, Lennart Karl, Leroy Sané and Havertz, among others.

Havertz recently featured in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties and was absent from Germany’s 4-0 friendly win over Finland on Sunday due to club commitments. In that match, Wirtz, Musiala, 18-year-old Karl and Deniz Undav featured in the starting lineup, with Undav scoring twice and adding an assist.

“There is variety. We need all the players and many capable of playing in different positions,” Havertz said. “His stats speak for themselves. In the national team, he is an extremely important part. No one fears anyone. We have to function as a team, and everyone will be needed.”

The Germany national football team are aiming to rebuild their international standing after early exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The four-time champions have not won a major international title since their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.

Germany are in Group E and open their campaign against Curacao on June 14 before facing Ivory Coast and Ecuador. -Reporting by Karolos GrohmannEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters