Can Kai Havertz take Chelsea to the Title in 2021-22?
Kai Havertz arrived at Chelsea as a future star of football in September 2020. The Blues spent £71 million to bring the German to Stamford Bridge, and although he didn't hit the ground running, the 22-year-old ended the season on a high. In 12 appearances, Havertz scored one goal in the Champions League, which proved to be the winner in the final against Manchester City. It will be interesting to see whether the German can continue that form and fire Chelsea to the Premier League title next season.
Signs that his Confidence is Returning
Scoring the winning goal in a Champions League final is something that few players will experience in their professional careers. The 22-year-old's impressive end to the campaign saw Joachim Low select him for Germany's European Championship squad, and Havertz repaid his manager's faith, although the team as a whole disappointed. The attacking midfielder scored in a 4-2 Group F victory over Portugal, but that was the high point as they were beaten by England in the round of 16, who are now the favourites in the odds for EURO 2020 at 9/5, as of June 30th. Havertz forced a good save from Jordan Pickford in the 2-0 defeat, but England put in a controlled performance as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored late on to secure a famous victory.
Since winning the 2014 World Cup, Germany have somewhat lost their identity, as Low has experimented with different formations and systems. The secret to DFB-Elf's revival relies on Havertz playing a free role, which Thomas Tuchel has given him at Chelsea. According to Eurosport, Low allows the 22-year-old to arrive late into the box and drift into wide areas, adopting a Thomas Muller-like duty. By giving the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder license to roam, he became the youngest German to score at a major competition since Muller in 2010.
In the Mould of Zidane
Although Havertz doesn't lack pace, his technical skillset far outweighs his physical speed. As such, his understanding of the game and ability to pick up pockets of space allows him to steal a yard on opposition players. From a skill standpoint, Lothar Matthäus, a 1990 World Cup winner, compares the 22-year-old to Zinedine Zidane. The German legend states that Havertz shares the Frenchman's ability to anticipate situations and arrive in dangerous spots at the right time.
Havertz's technique isn't in question, nor is his commitment to Chelsea. However, if the German wishes to spearhead a title challenge in 2021-22, he'll need to bring more consistency to top-flight football. Having had a season to adapt, expectations surroundingHavertz's performance and abilities will go up ahead of the new campaign, especially if he continues to perform at a world-class level for Germany. Tuchel has been pivotal in unlocking the German's talent, shifting him inside, and moving him closer to the goal. Thus far, that tactical alteration has served the Blues well, although there is still plenty more to come from Havertz.
Pressure to Succeed
After scoring in the Champions League final, Havertz has already established himself as a Chelsea hero. Now, however, he needs to bring consistency to Stamford Bridge. If the Blues are to win their first league title since 2016-17, Tuchel will need the 22-year-old to fulfil his potential and step up to the plate. While he may not become the next Zidane, he has the skillset to perform that same role for the London club.