Arsenal and Germany forward Kai Havertz has hit back at Gary Lineker making a prediction about their World Cup chances.
Havertz and Germany have been uninspiring at this summerâs World Cup, though they have progressed to the knockout stages of the competition.
Germany finished top of Group E with six points, though they were level on points with the Ivory Coast but had a better goal difference.
Julian Nagelsmannâs side have an easy touch in the World Cup round of 32, with a game against Paraguay on Tuesday night coming before a quarter-final against France.
France are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and they should have enough to beat Germany in the next round if they get that far.
And Lineker does not think France will have âany troubleâ against Germany in the next round.
âI think that this is one of the weakest Germany sides Iâve ever seen,â Lineker told French outlet LâEquipe.
READ: Nagelsmann sums up Germany pressure: âIf you lose everything is sh*tâ
âFrance should reach the quarter-finals without any trouble. Germany are living off their past.
âJust remember that they didnât even make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups. So I think you can all sleep easy.â
âIâm not interested in that at allâŠâ
In response, Havertz has insisted that he and his teammates will not be deterred by Lineker and other critics this summer.
âEveryone can have their own opinion. I have no problem with that,â Havertz said.
READ MORE: Man Utd replacement among shock nine with more World Cup knockout goals than Cristiano Ronaldo
âI didnât even read what he said. At a tournament like this, a lot of people start talking about you. I donât think anyone is really listening to that.
âWe already have many pundits in our country. And if people from other countries start talking as well, then thatâs enough at some point.
âItâs easy for people to criticise from outside. Iâm not interested in that at all.â
Havertz has also hit back at suggestions that he should be dropped by Julian Nagelsmann and be replaced by Deniz Undav.
âWe talk a lot about what can work better and what we need to improve,â Havertz added.
âThe three of us [himself, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala] know ourselves that we havenât fully shown what weâre capable of up front yet. We have to take responsibility for that.
âIt takes a bit of time because everyone comes from their clubs to the national team and you have to get used to your teammates. When you are in a major tournament, people talk [but] I donât care what people say, we are focused on ourselves.â
Havertz and Germany have been uninspiring at this summerâs World Cup, though they have progressed to the knockout stages of the competition.
Germany finished top of Group E with six points, though they were level on points with the Ivory Coast but had a better goal difference.
Julian Nagelsmannâs side have an easy touch in the World Cup round of 32, with a game against Paraguay on Tuesday night coming before a quarter-final against France.
France are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and they should have enough to beat Germany in the next round if they get that far.
And Lineker does not think France will have âany troubleâ against Germany in the next round.
âI think that this is one of the weakest Germany sides Iâve ever seen,â Lineker told French outlet LâEquipe.
READ: Nagelsmann sums up Germany pressure: âIf you lose everything is sh*tâ
âFrance should reach the quarter-finals without any trouble. Germany are living off their past.
âJust remember that they didnât even make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups. So I think you can all sleep easy.â
âIâm not interested in that at allâŠâ
In response, Havertz has insisted that he and his teammates will not be deterred by Lineker and other critics this summer.
âEveryone can have their own opinion. I have no problem with that,â Havertz said.
READ MORE: Man Utd replacement among shock nine with more World Cup knockout goals than Cristiano Ronaldo
âI didnât even read what he said. At a tournament like this, a lot of people start talking about you. I donât think anyone is really listening to that.
âWe already have many pundits in our country. And if people from other countries start talking as well, then thatâs enough at some point.
âItâs easy for people to criticise from outside. Iâm not interested in that at all.â
Havertz has also hit back at suggestions that he should be dropped by Julian Nagelsmann and be replaced by Deniz Undav.
âWe talk a lot about what can work better and what we need to improve,â Havertz added.
âThe three of us [himself, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala] know ourselves that we havenât fully shown what weâre capable of up front yet. We have to take responsibility for that.
âIt takes a bit of time because everyone comes from their clubs to the national team and you have to get used to your teammates. When you are in a major tournament, people talk [but] I donât care what people say, we are focused on ourselves.â
