Are we being too harsh on Kai Havertz?

Havertz’s Chelsea career

Additionally, a look at Havertz’s Chelsea career further suggests that we did perhaps overpay for the 24-year-old. However, as mentioned, Havertz did not choose his price and therefore, raising expectations based purely on price tag alone is harsh.

Deployed primarily as a forward for the Blues, Havertz mustered 47 goal contributions in 139 appearances for the club, meaning that the German contributed to a goal just under once every three games.

A return of that nature means that judging Havertz on goals and assists is perhaps unfair, as he is clearly a player who during his time at Chelsea, was never prolific in this regard. Add to that the fact that he is mainly being used in a deeper role under Mikel Arteta, and it should be no surprise that he has so far failed to register either a goal or an assist at the club at this stage.

With those stats in mind, it seems unlikely that Arteta would have envisaged Haverzs becoming a major goalscoring threat in the side. If the manager doesn’t judge Havertz on goals and assists, then it only seems logical to suggest that we as a fanbase shouldn’t either.

Continued on the next slide…