Kai Havertz had a disappointing debut, but it was expected

A few injuries allowed Frank Lampard to hand Kai Havertz his full Chelsea debut perhaps earlier than expected, but it went as expected.

Chelsea fans were excited for the highly anticipated debut of German wunderkind Kai Havertz and enjoyed it ahead of schedule. The 21-year-old’s debut was less exciting, but there’s still no reason to panic.

The actual fee Chelsea paid for Havertz’s services is still being speculated, but one thing is for sure: he is the most expensive German player in history. Naturally, fans watched with bated breath to see how the star would hold his own against Premier League rivals. He had a quiet and unimpressive night to the chagrin of many fans. However, disappointing is how his debut should have been expected.

Many things could explain Havertz’s performance against Brighton, but it really needs no explanation. That was the German international’s first game since arriving at Stamford Bridge. He has been training, but has not played a game yet. Brighton was very disciplined on the night, flattering Frank Lampard that the Blues were left with 3-1 winners.

Also, Brighton’s game was the type of game that Havertz would have benefited the most from if he had played in midfield. He would have had more touches and had a better chance of acclimatizing to the new league. Instead, he was deployed on the right wing, often one of Chelsea’s most forward-aligned players.

It should be noted that the best place for a player who is out of shape, in a system like Lampard’s, is higher up the field. However, playing in midfield could have brought Havertz into the game quicker. Playing right winger meant he often relied on receiving a final pass or long ball, rather than distributing them. It also didn’t help that Chelsea were pinned down for much of the game, as well as stretched out, thanks to former Chelsea player Tariq Lamptey. Lamptey’s speed and overlapping runs caused a lot of trouble for Chelsea’s left.

This also means that most of the Blues’ attacks fell on their left side because that’s where they had the room to move forward. Therefore, Havertz found himself isolated quite often. The few touches the young man received saw him do anything worthwhile with it and he often fumbled.

That said, everything is fine. Havertz is 21 years old and while he is definitely talented, he should not be expected to ignite the Premier League on day one. Anyone who’s expected this needs to get their head checked, seriously. The gap between the Premier League and the Bundesliga is not small. Havertz, just like any other signing, will always need some time to adjust to a different league, a different set of teammates, and a different set of demands.

Chelsea fans have always overreacted, this is no different. Don’t let anyone convince you that Havertz’s debut performance is an indication that he will either flop or that Chelsea is on the receiving end of a bad transfer business. A talented player who lights up the Premier League on his debut is the exception, not the norm.