Wirtz has world at his feet as Bhoys look to tame Germany’s wonderkid
HIS head coach reckons he is the most complete footballer he has ever witnessed at his age, a player destined to become a dominant figure in the German national team. His sporting director, a former World Cup winner and legendary figure with Die Mannschaft, is talking about him being the subject of the next blockbusting transfer — with a £100million fee already touted.
It is against that backdrop that Celtic must figure out a way to handle the threat of 18-year-old wunderkind Florian Wirtz when Bayer Leverkusen arrive at Parkhead on Europa League duty on Thursday evening.
The attacking midfielder has broken all sorts of records since he became Leverkusen’s youngestever debutant — and the Bundesliga’s third youngest-ever player — in January 2020 when making his debut against Werder Bremen aged 17 and six days.
He also became the youngest player to turn out for Germany’s Under-21s and has since broken into the senior squad, too. He just brings danger, as evidenced by his winning goal in yesterday’s 1-0 defeat of Mainz. In his first five league outings this season, he delivered an astonishing four goals and four assists. He also scored in his side’s 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the first round of Europa League games.
Asked if he has ever come across another 18-year-old with such a complete game, Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane replied: ‘No, never. Florian has speed, technical quality, intelligence, is courageous on the pitch and plays with a naturalness that is very, very rare at this age. That’s all very impressive.
‘He could become one of the dominant players on the national team in the coming years. We need to support him in developing the strength to take on big responsibilities.’ Sporting director Rudi Voller is the man fielding interest in the youngster from Real Madrid and Manchester United, according to reports. Voller sold Kai Havertz to Chelsea in a deal worth £70m last year and clearly sees Wirtz (left) as the next big fee. ‘The speed of Florian’s development is special,’ said Voller. ‘Like Havertz, all possibilities are open for him. ‘He will make his way forward in exactly the same way.’
Wirtz won a call-up to the German national team in March 2021 and has since won three caps. New national coach Hansi
Flick clearly sees him as a mainstay even at this early stage.
‘Florian is just a huge asset for this team,’ said Flick. ‘He is an outstanding technician, loves to play, very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick. He’s got a good total package.’
For Seoane, ahead of this week’s visit to Glasgow, it is just a case of managing expectations and allowing Wirtz to concentrate on strengthening his game. However, he sees no evidence that the torrents of praise being aimed at his teenage charge are having any negative effect.
‘No, I don’t see that,’ said the Swiss, who led Young Boys into battle with Rangers in the Europa League two years ago. ‘He has had an incredibly good attitude since I’ve been here. It’s even getting better and better. What he does, he does with quality.’