Journalist Paul Brown is intrigued to see what the future holds for Kai Havertz following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea earlier this month.
The 23-year-old has started all but one of the Blues’ matches in all competitions so far this season and was named in Graham Potter’s first starting XI at home to Red Bull Salzburg last week.
However, the German wasn’t at his best that night, which has been the theme of his performances in recent times.
Only Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Saul Niguez averaged a lower SofaScore rating for Chelsea in the Premier League last season than Havertz (6.83), who was handed a 5/10 match rating by football.london writer Scott Trotter for his display against Salzburg, failing to make a significant impact in the Champions League last time out.
The 23-year-old was signed for £71m just two years ago, scoring the Champions League final winner in his first season with the Blues, but Brown has now raised concerns over his future in the team.
He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s going to be really interesting to see what happens with Kai Havertz. He was 100% a Tuchel man. Tuchel hung his hat on him, played him as the main centre-forward, gave him a lot of responsibility.”
Havertz’s place in doubt?
Havertz was among Tuchel’s most-used players in west London, making 74 appearances under his compatriot, who was Chelsea manager for 99 matches.
However, the change in the dugout could put the 23-year-old’s status in doubt, with journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun claiming that Armando Broja has caught the eye of Potter in training.
That may well leave Havertz’s centre-forward position under threat, and considering that the £150k-per-week ace has only managed one direct goal involvement in eight matches this term, he could well be on borrowed time unless that hit rate improves.
Indeed, the 28-cap Germany international could soon be handed a route out of Stamford Bridge, with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich preparing a move for him next summer according to journalist Simon Phillips.
It may offer Havertz an exit route if he finds himself displaced at Chelsea in the meantime.
