Kai Havertz brushes off Lineker's Germany verdict ahead of Paraguay tie

Kai Havertz has brushed aside Gary Lineker's claim that Germany are one of the weakest sides he has seen. The Arsenal forward said he did not even read the comments and added that he really could not care less, with Germany vs Paraguay next in the round of 32 on Monday night in Boston.

Havertz's response to Lineker

“Everyone can have their own opinion. I have no problem with that. I didn't even read what he said,” Havertz told football.london. “At a tournament like this, a lot of people start talking about you. I don't think anyone is really listening to that.”

He was even blunter when asked about the outside noise. “It's easy for people to criticise from outside. I'm not interested in that at all.” That is the line he has kept, and it fits with what he said to Bavarian Football Works as well: “We are fully convinced we can win (Monday).”

Havertz also said Germany are focused on themselves and need time to build connections after players arrive from their clubs. For him, the occasion carries a bit more weight because it will be his first knockout World Cup match.

Germany's form and the Paraguayan test

The criticism is not arriving in a vacuum. Germany beat Curacao 7-1 in the group stage, with Havertz scoring a brace, but they also went through a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast and a 2-1 loss to Ecuador. Havertz rated 8.2 in the Curacao game, a reminder that he can still set the tone when Germany start fast.

Lineker's view that Germany are one of the weakest sides he has seen is opinion, not fact. Havertz has answered it with something more useful for a knockout tie, which is indifference and belief. Paraguay get Germany on Monday night, and the talk around the squad will matter far less than how they handle the game in Boston.