"Thomas Müller is like an assistant coach" - Germany's Kai Havertz
Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Müller is more than just a world-class footballer, according to Kai Havertz.
'Radio Müller' - as former Bayern assistant coach Hermann Gerland used to call him - can be heard broadcasting loud and clear, whether on the pitch like in Germany's first two UEFA Euro 2020 group games against France and Portugal, or on the sidelines as he was for the opening 66 minutes of their decisive 2-2 draw with Hungary.
Havertz, who has started all three of Germany's fixtures en route to Tuesday's last-16 showdown with England, welcomes the additional coaching at this the 22-year-old's first major finals at senior level.
"Thomas Müller is like a third assistant coach," the former Bayer Leverkusen attacker and Chelsea's 2020/21 UEFA Champions League match-winner told media.
"He helps out a lot of players and his communication on the pitch is really important. Playing with him is a lot of fun."
Müller's isn't just one of the loudest members of head coach Joachim Löw's squad. He's also one of the most experienced.
Having fully recovered from the knee problem which restricted his involvement as Germany twice came from behind to draw with Hungary and clinch the runners-up spot in Group F, the 10-time Bundesliga winner expects to win his 106th senior cap against England at Wembley Stadium.
"If it was a problem, I wouldn't have trained," Muller said from Germany's training base in Herzogenaurauch, Bavaria.
"The injury isn't holding me back, and I'm experienced enough to deal with it. I'm convinced it won't be a problem for Tuesday."
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Müller has registered 39 goals and 37 assists in 105 Germany appearances to date, but is yet to score in 14 appearances across three Euros.
"It would be nice to score on Tuesday, but the most important thing for me is that we go through," he said with a trademark smile.
"Personally, I have a good experience of playing at Wembley Stadium, having won the Champions League final there in 2013."
Müller will also have fond memories of facing England. The self-titled "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter) scored two and assisted another as Die Mannschaft romped to a 4-1 win over the Three Lions in the 2010 FIFA World Cup last 16.
Although a young Germany finished as third after beating Uruguay 3-2 in the third-place play-off, Müller claimed the Golden Boot on five goals and three assists. He was the second highest goalscorer four years later as Löw's side went the distance.
When Germany won their third Euros in 1996, beating England on penalties in the last four, Müller was only six.
"It was the first tournament that I was really aware of, but even then it was a close result," he recalled.
"We won against England in 2010 - that has nothing to do with Tuesday, but it might give some of you a good feeling.
"We were hoping to play better against Hungary, but now it's a knockout game. Our success depends on us working together, but that's one of the Germany team's strengths. We're looking forward to it."
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