Deniz Undav and his time on the bench have now become a meme. But when comparing him with his competitor in EA Sports FC 26, it becomes clear why Nagelsmann is doing the right thing – even if many fans see it differently.
What is this conflict about? The case of Deniz Undav is dividing Germany. On one side is the favorite from Stuttgart, who is shining as one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga and now also at the World Cup. Whenever he steps onto the field, something happens – he scores, he provides assists, he invigorates the game. On the other side is Julian Nagelsmann, who stubbornly sticks to Kai Havertz as the “false 9”.
This frustrates many fans immensely. On social media, the national coach is accused of selecting players based on sympathy or stubborn principles, rather than current performance. However, taking a look at the cold, hard facts from the EA FC 26 database makes it clear: Nagelsmann is following a logic that can be justified purely statistically.
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Undav or Havertz in a tight duel
Why is Nagelsmann right according to EA FC 26? When comparing Undav with Havertz, it is of course a question of tactics and philosophy on the real pitch. However, in EA FC 26 we have fixed values that we can compare head to head. Here, Havertz, with an overall rating of 82, is ahead of Undav’s 80. But a look into the details reveals more:
| Attribute | Kai Havertz (82) | Deniz Undav (80) |
|---|---|---|
| Height / Weight | 193 cm / 82 kg | 179 cm / 86 kg |
| Pace (Sprint Speed) | 72 (72) | 66 (65) |
| Shooting (Finishing) | 79 (80) | 82 (83) |
| Passing (Short Pass) | 78 (82) | 74 (80) |
| Physical (Stamina) | 74 (85) | 77 (70) |
Havertz brings with a height of 193 cm a physical presence that makes him the ideal anchor point. His pace (72) and passing values are essential for a possession-based system. Undav, on the other hand, is the marksman: higher finishing (83) and more strength (80), but he is not a sprinter.
At least on paper – or in EA FC 26 – Nagelsmann is indeed right.
Why is Undav the perfect joker? Havertz is the Swiss Army knife, perfect for starting the game, creating spaces, and tiring out opponents with his work rate (85 stamina!).
Undav, in turn, is the ultimate weapon for the closing stages. His strengths come into play only when the opposing defense has already lost concentration and pace after 60 minutes. Here, Undav can shine with his 86 balance and sturdy physique against tired defenders who can no longer confront him easily.
Nagelsmann’s decision is therefore not a personal affront against Undav, but pure tactics. He perfectly exploits the quality of the squad to have an option in Undav that can turn a match around when it seems to be stuck in a dead end.
Whether Undav or Havertz starts is ultimately a decision by Julian Nagelsmann and not the other 82 million national coaches. Still, we are interested in your opinion! Is EA FC 26 right and is Undav a perfect joker, but only a conditional starter? Let us know in the comments, and also give us your tip for the results this evening! More gaming and reality in one can be found right now in GTA: GTA 6 is so important that even Markus Söder advertises it in a questionable way
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