‘COMPLETELY USELESS’ Arsenal star slammed after Euro 2024 flop

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 24 Jun 2024 06:03 CDT
• 3 min read

Franck Leboeuf has slammed both Kai Havertz and Julian Nagelsmann for their performances during Germany’s draw with Switzerland.

The Euro 2024 hosts struggled to a 1-1 draw against the Swiss on Sunday evening, with substitute Niclas Fullkrug rescuing a point in injury time.

That point ensured Germany finished top of Group A ahead of Switzerland.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 most assists

Former France and Chelsea defender Leboeuf was not impressed with what he saw from Germany.

He hit out at Germany manager Nagelsmann for not resting some players given his team were already through to the last-16 having won their opening two games of Euro 2024.

And he singled out Germany striker Kai Havertz for particular criticism, with the Arsenal star struggling badly in a false nine role.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

What did Lebouef say?

“Germany looked very tired today, they were not ready to fight against a very solid Swiss team,” Leboeuf said on ESPN.

“Nagelsmann was sending a message [by not resting anyone] that ‘you are not good enough to play even in the third game when we are already qualified’.

“If we thought Germany could be a contender [to win Euro 2024] they are not anymore.

“Havertz run at like 2mph today.

“He was completely useless for 95 minutes.”

Arsenal signed Havertz from Chelsea for €75 million (£65m) last summer. That made him the third most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Mikel Arteta’s move for Havertz came as something of a surprise as the Germany international had largely struggled during his time in the Premier League with Chelsea.

Havertz made a poor start to his Arsenal career in which he had no goal contributions - goals or assists - in his first nine games and only two in his first 19.

But Havertz enjoyed a sensational second half to the season and ended 2023-24 with 14 goals and seven assists in all competitions.

Germany will also be hoping he improves in the knockout stages at Euro 2024.