Chelsea news: Pundit issues ‘massive’ Kai Havertz claim after ‘superb’ reveal
Noel Whelan has claimed Kai Havertz has “really found his feet” at Chelsea after his “superb” display in the League Cup final.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 22-year-old has “stepped up” after Romelu Lukaku’s “underwhelming” return to Stamford Bridge.
Havertz played all 120 minutes and netted his shoot-out penalty as Chelsea fell to an agonising defeat in the League Cup final against Liverpool yesterday (27 February).
As per Squawka on Twitter (27 February), the Germany international is the first player to create five chances in a League Cup final since David Silva’s display in 2016.
Havertz has netted seven goals and registered four assists in 31 games across all competitions for Chelsea this term.
Whelan suggested the forward is benefitting from the “trust” shown in him by manager Thomas Tuchel.
“He’s really found his feet now,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s got a manager at the moment whose tactical game really suits him, and I think Tuchel is giving him a lot of confidence with the trust he’s put in him.
“He is a really intelligent player in terms of his creative output – he’s had that time in midfield so he can see these passes. He was superb yesterday at finding the right pass.
“Lukaku has been underwhelming and Havertz has stepped up massively to become that other choice in the striker position.”
Havertz notched 18 goal contributions for Chelsea last term.
He has scored all-important goals in the finals of the Champions League and Club World Cup since joining the club in 2020.
In other news, ex-referee predicts “out of order” star facing FA action as “crazy” League Cup final footage emerges.