[ad_1]
Editor’s Note: Tor-Kristian Karlsen is a Norwegian soccer executive and scout and is the former executive director and sporting director of AS Monaco. He will write regularly for ESPN about the soccer business and the exploration process. In his latest column, he looks at Chelsea’s newest forward, Kai Havertz.
In what has been a busy summer for Chelsea on the transfer front, their latest foray into the market is definitely their most spectacular. The signing of German international Kai Havertz is a real blow to the West London club, as Bayer Leverkusen’s £ 62 million signing is on the wish list of every major club in European football. Clearly, Chelsea’s executive management has not only entered the transfer window with a clear plan, but has also managed to execute it without much hesitation or deviation. It is his merit that Havertz is present in London and not in Madrid.
– Grades: Grade of each great summer transfer.
– Stream ESPN FC daily on ESPN + (US only)
A brief look at the 21-year-old’s stats reveals a rather extraordinary story: out of 118 Bundesliga appearances, he has already racked up an impressive 36 goals and 25 assists. However, it’s not just the numbers that are impressive. The Aachen-born attacking midfielder is equally attractive to aesthetes, a real joy to watch. His touch on the ball is so sensitive that he often sends opponents down the wrong path, allowing him to pass almost unchallenged. He often appears faster with the ball at his feet than when running without it.
Havertz, who has already been capped by Germany seven times, is naturally left-handed but almost equally capable of playing on the right, giving him the versatility to perform both on broadband and in a more central role. With his back to the goal, he is also an excellent liaison player. Always aware of the movements around him, he is able to locate and serve runners with the ball, often with a quick flick, a back heel or a little touch with the outside of the foot. His excellent balance and coordination mean that when he turns to face goal, he is able to take on opponents and feed his teammates well-weighted passes or that “killer ball” behind the defensive line. As evidenced by his scoring record, he is excellent at timing his runs into the box and finishing easy on either foot.
Due to his somewhat lanky 6-foot-2-inch frame, Havertz can be mistaken for a rather fragile player. But the appearance is, to some extent, deceptive. Although not powerful in the true sense of the word, the German is difficult to hit the ball and, for a player of his size, is good at staying on his feet.
As mentioned above, Havertz was attracting the interest of many major clubs and an international head scout, working for one of the top 10 traditional clubs in Europe, confirmed to me why he was so sought after.
It turns out that the scout started tracking Havertz even before he stormed into Bayer Leverkusen’s first team. “I remember Havertz winning the German U-17 championship with Bayer Leverkusen and even then he seemed very mature to me, both as a player and as a person. He played with great presence and personality even then.”
Summing up the German’s physical and technical abilities, he says: “Havertz has the perfect body build for an absolutely first-rate footballer: he’s slim, but athletic. Technically he’s excellent, good in the air, and although he’s left-handed his ability to use both. feet is second to none. “
Sounding quite sorry that his team missed Havertz, he adds: “In my opinion, he is just a fantastic player. For me, tactically, he is the complete central midfielder. He has recently been selected as a winger and as a forward, but for me He is a central midfielder, the perfect number 8. From that position he can take advantage of his intelligence, but above all his ability to contribute offensively and score goals, not to mention his ability to find spaces between the lines and cover ground.
“For Chelsea, he is capable of scoring as many as Frank Lampard in that same role. At only 21 years old, he comes with a lot of experience, even from the Champions League level. He is definitely ready to be an important piece in a new team. Chelsea’s superior, “he concludes.
A second scout, again with a lot of experience evaluating the best players from a well-recognized club, is also an admirer of the overall skills that the new Chelsea signing boasts, but has reservations about Havertz permanently ending up in the steps from your coach. .
Previous scan reports:
– Bellingham has the skills to thrive in Dortmund
– Good / best fit for Man City defensive rebuild
– Update 36 Under 21: Hakimi, Osimhen, Towers in motion
“Even if I suspect that Chelsea have bought Havertz with the idea of placing him as number eight, I’m not sure that intensity and defensive work ethic are consistently present in that role,” he says. “In my opinion, the most suitable position for him would be as a support striker. From higher up the field and without excessive defensive responsibilities, he will get a better performance from his creativity, style and ability to score and prepare other players. .
“I’d like to see him receiving the ball between the lines and using the space created by the center forward.”
Despite those reservations, the consensus is that negatives are hard to find in the German international’s game, and a German scout noted how Havertz is striving to improve further. “He has worked on his finishing skills during the past season and has also matured on the field, taking on more responsibilities in the team,” he says. “Really, any weaknesses are only obvious when he plays on the wing, especially on the right, as his center could be better and his dribbling skills are not that outstanding. He is more effective and efficient if he plays more central.”
Regardless of whether Havertz ends up being selected as an area-to-area midfielder, a deep forward or even a reversed winger, Frank Lampard will enjoy the skill set that his latest signing provides and from any of those positions and Havertz should thrive. as one of the front men for an exciting new Chelsea team. The combination of Havertz’s clever binding play and sophisticated little touches, Mateo Kovacic’s art behind him, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech’s deception, and Timo Werner’s relentless movement and pacing up front is sure to delight. Stamford. Faithful bridge.
