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Is Kai Havertz really a flop?
A thread on his best position, experience as an 8 under Bosz and how Mount and Kai can be the new 'Bravertz'
(Disclaimer - these are just my own thoughts and research. I love football analysis and I want to learn more so just sharing my thoughts)
A thread on his best position, experience as an 8 under Bosz and how Mount and Kai can be the new 'Bravertz'
(Disclaimer - these are just my own thoughts and research. I love football analysis and I want to learn more so just sharing my thoughts)
Firstly, let's dispel the rumour that Havertz is just a 10. When Bosz came to manage Bayer, he brought in a 4-3-3 system to play both Brandt and Havertz together. It became Leverkusen's powerhouse for the 18/19 szn: the season Havertz returned 20 goals and 7 assists
But you'll now say, why can't he work with Mount? There are a few issues:
- Primarily, the Bravertz system worked best when Brandt tended to go out wide and/or dropped back, allowing Havertz to work in a freer role centrally.
- Primarily, the Bravertz system worked best when Brandt tended to go out wide and/or dropped back, allowing Havertz to work in a freer role centrally.
- Secondly, Havertz off the ball movement is a big part of his game as it is for any attacking midfielder. Alongside that, you need a midfielder who can progress the ball whilst you can get into the right spaces. This is a part of his game that Mount currently lacks...
and will improve on as time goes.
- I don't have a screenshot to show it, but I remember Kai Havertz playing as an 8 alongside the notoriously gifted ball progressor Kovacic against Sevilla, where he played brilliantly. Clearly, a balance between the two 8s is a necessity.
- I don't have a screenshot to show it, but I remember Kai Havertz playing as an 8 alongside the notoriously gifted ball progressor Kovacic against Sevilla, where he played brilliantly. Clearly, a balance between the two 8s is a necessity.
The best from Havertz can be extracted from him as an 8. In his Bayer Leverkusen times, alongside Brandt, the duo created 4.0 shots per game, rising from 2.7 shots created per game with the manager before.
Evidently, Kai CAN play as an 8. But how can it be made to work?
Evidently, Kai CAN play as an 8. But how can it be made to work?
From what I have seen so far, it would be possible to get the best out of Mount and Havertz in a double-8 system as well as in the 10 role.
It may require Havertz to increase his skills on the ball and/or Mason Mount to drift backwards....
It may require Havertz to increase his skills on the ball and/or Mason Mount to drift backwards....
...and receive the ball at his feet to lay it off to Havertz in the final third and let him do his magic.
But currently, with our winger crisis meaning Werner plays unnaturally on the wing and Mount plays freely in the final third, the space Havertz has to work in is extremely limited.
At the end of the day, whilst all these changes can be made, Kai is a young player who needs time to adjust into the 8 role. Indeed, he has played as an 8 just 3 times for Chelsea.
He hasn't played as an 8 for more than 2 games in a row.
He hasn't played as an 8 for more than 2 games in a row.
TLDR: Changes could/should be made. The point I want everyone to remember is simple:
Kai is 21 years old.
He is recovering from a serious bout of COVID-19
He needs time and consistency.
As the wise lad @CFC_JakeC pointed out to me: Even Felix took a season to get into stride
Kai is 21 years old.
He is recovering from a serious bout of COVID-19
He needs time and consistency.
As the wise lad @CFC_JakeC pointed out to me: Even Felix took a season to get into stride
