There is no more hiding for Kai Havertz

With Romelu Lukaku gone, Kai Havertz cannot spend another season coasting

Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Few players have given themselves as much leeway with supporters as Kai Havertz did when he scored the winning goal of the Champions League final in 2021 for Chelsea.

The former Bayer Leverkusen teenage prodigy had dominated the conversation amongst fans the previous summer when his transfer to west London was sealed for £71m after tons of hype.

Porto was the most glorious end to what had been a highly challenging maiden season that included upheaval, covid and injury.

The weight had been lifted from the 21-year-old’s shoulders, reflected most in his hilarious post-match interview, telling Des Kelly he “did not give a f**k”about his price tag as Cesar Azpilicueta cackled in his ear. Havertz had become a legend, his goal now a thing of folklore for generations to come.

Heights players work decades to scale had been reached in under a year, what was next for this “wunderkid”?

The arrival of Romelu Lukaku seemed to hit a pause on his growth as Thomas Tuchel’s main forward but that path would soon reopen when the Belgian got injured, then lost the trust of Tuchel as the next season progressed.

Chants of the “best on earth” were regularly heard at Chelsea games for the first few months of the season, a neat header at Anfield in August 2021 appeared to showcase that growing confidence. But it took until November for another league goal to come against Burnley, then weeks went by without much more.

A lot of the attention in 2021/22 centred around Lukaku’s awkward adaptation, but little focused on Havertz because there was little to speak of. Apart from some nice flicks and turns, the odd attacking spark, Havertz naturally faded to the fringes whilst others took the brunt of criticism.

But like he had in Porto, Havertz again picked up another moment for the highlight reel. Connecting his name to an unforgettable moment in club history. This time it was in Abu Dhabi and it was the winning penalty kick of the Club World Cup against Palmeiras in extra-time.

Unlike in the Champions League final, Havertz had done little to impress in open-play, but in a final this was all that mattered. The trophy was captured and the silky German was again the lauded hero.

Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

In late February, Havertz’s influence became more obvious. He was called upon to replace Lukaku following the infamous seven-touch display at Selhurst Park. In his favourite competition, Havertz started and scored within the opening 10 minutes against Lille in the last 16 of the Champions League.

It took him under 45 minutes to match Lukaku’s overall involvement in the previous game, it appeared obvious this was the path Tuchel would now take. Five days later Havertz would retain his place for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, and although he ended on the losing side, he created big chances and looked inspired.

He then would find his goalscoring touch in the space of a few weeks against Burnley, Norwich and Newcastle. All important goals, adding an end product Tuchel had desperately searched for. It all looked set up that the forward would end the season in style, firmly cementing himself as the standout attacker in a sea of confusion.

But like before, soon Havertz began fading back to the fringes, focus turned elsewhere. There were guilt-edged chances missed against Manchester United, he was easily muscled out of a fiery game at Goodison Park when his team so desperately needed a focal point.

Those weeks of good form were just weeks.

Lukaku’s failures bore the brunt of supporter anger, most inspired by that ill-timed interview in December. For a large majority of last season, not being Lukaku brought its perks and sympathy, even if your own performances were not exactly impressive.

That hiding place has firmly been ripped away now “he should not be named” is back in Milan. The source of ire is going to be aimed elsewhere, unless the outrage over Lukaku has infected deep enough for his mere presence on the same continent to be a good enough reason to still blame him.

The path has never been more open for Havertz to firmly cement a consistent role in Chelsea’s attack, but little in pre-season has remotely suggested that reality has hit home. Or it has and the comfort over his future and game time has led to complacency.

Part of the issue over Havertz pertains to his positioning and whether he is actually miscast as a central striker. There was much furore over Frank Lampard’s initial choice to deploy him as either an 8 on the right of his 4-3-3 or 10 in a 4-2-3-1. It was only after Tuchel arrived that he began to play as a focal point in a 3-4-2-1, leading to his winning moment against Manchester City.

Lukaku’s return meant he was shifted into a slightly deeper inside forward role, but under Tuchel he has been viewed as a forward and little else.

That on its own brings its own problem, are we just wasting time trying to make him the long-term 9 if he’s wasted there? But in reality, you have to be fair, look at the evidence and conclude that his attributes in Tuchel’s current formation only really fill one of those three forward spots.

There also comes the issue of Havertz’s own demeanour and approach, at his best and most effective he glides with ease into space behind a defender’s shoulder, he uses his height to great effect and has the energy to effectively press from the front.

At his worst he drops too deep, looking for the ball to feet in ineffectual areas. Also drifting too wide to be found, or when he gets the ball, not showing the natural instincts to drive at goal, rather opting to slow down play.

Havertz’s talent is undeniable, his skill and competency are not in question unlike his compatriot Timo Werner. He takes care with the ball and provides moments of intricacy that remind you why he was earmarked in the Bundesliga as a rising star.

However, that talent has felt like an appetiser in the Premier League rather than a main course. He might be aesthetically pleasing but in the role he is likely to play in the 2022/23 season, flattering to deceive will do little to transform Tuchel’s most problematic area.

In his career so far Havertz has shown a clear tendency to leave his best form for the closing months of the season, an effective trait in cup competitions as Chelsea have benefited from, but not exactly the trait of a player worthy of leading the line.

Havertz’s forgettable performances have breathed fresh hope into the returning Armando Broja, a player who looks in good shape to test Havertz’s comfort in a starting role for the upcoming season. A test that he probably needs based off of the lack of options for Tuchel.

Havertz was framed as a long-term investment when the club bought him in 2020, he was deemed by onlookers as a talent who could rise to the heights of being regarded one of the world’s best in years to come. That sort of hype cannot be realised in sporadic moments or nice touches, they come from dominant performances and a sense of urgency.

Few doubt Kai Havertz has the talent, few can deny he has already offered memorable moments for the club. But few could also suggest he transfer has been an overwhelming success.

Dismissal of critique as people “not getting it” with Havertz hold little weight, particularly when his closest peers are rightly judged on their obvious output. Analysing a good striker should not need a degree in pressanomics, a Wyscout subscription or a coaching manual.

Consistent end product usually is a pretty good indicator, something Havertz has yet to provide. Now is time for him to do so.

Thanks for reading. Check out my videos on Chelsea on my YouTube channel, and read more of my work at football.london

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