Kai Havertz: 'It’s been tough'

Kai, let's start with the most important question: What grade did you get and how was it?
Havertz: I had a four-hour geography exam on Tuesday and I feel really good about it so it must have gone alright.

What's the timetable for your A-levels in the next few weeks?
Havertz: I'm almost completely finished with the pre-exams and and then there's the run-in to the real A-levels in a month’s time. I've got German and Sport as main courses, Geography as the third subject and Maths oral.

Bayer 04 have pursued a dual concept in youth development for a long time to ensure vocational and academic education are not ignored. Who made the decision for you to concentrate on school this week?

Havertz: It came from the coach and that was fine by me as I knew I still had work to do. Otherwise, I would have been away for three days so it fitted in well. Of course, I would have liked to have played at the Vicente Calderón.

How have you found the double burden of school and professional football recently?
Havertz: It's been tough recently and there were times where it was really stressful when I needed to be fully focused on both things. It really is tiring and sometimes it's not easy mentally. But the end is in sight soon and then I can finally concentrate on my duties as a pro. And I'm very grateful to the club that I could combine football and school. That was important to my parents and to me.

Where did you watch your team-mates play and what's your assessment of their performance?
Havertz: I watched the game at home in Leverkusen and I think the lads played really well. Although everything wasn't perfect it was a step in the right direction.

Will you be available for the Werkself at Hoffenheim on Saturday?
Havertz: Well there aren't any academic duties at the weekend. But the coach has to decide whether he wants to include me in the squad. I'm definitely up for it.