Andy Townsend still has major doubts over Chelsea forward Kai Havertz: ‘I just don’t see it’

Andy Townsend still has doubts over Chelsea forward Kai Havertz (Picture: YouTube)

Andy Townsend has revealed he still has massive doubts over Chelsea forward Kai Havertz.

Havertz has endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge following a £72m move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.

The Germany international has scored 29 goals for Chelsea – including the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City – but is still searching for a fixed role in the team, having been used on the wings and also as a striker.

Chelsea have been in dismal form this season, scoring just 23 goals in 23 league games – 15 less than relegation-battlers Leeds United and 37 less than defending champions Manchester City.

Havertz is Chelsea’s top goalscorer in the Premier League despite scoring just five goals this season and Townsend admits he still has major reservations over the 23-year-old.

Discussing Chelsea’s goalscoring issues on talkSPORT, the former Blues midfielder said: ‘In the final last third, things have got to improve significantly.

‘Graham Potter is not alone here by the way, Thomas Tuchel also had issues there. He couldn’t get Timo Werner firing and trying to get the best out of Kai Havertz was difficult.

Havertz has endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

‘I haven’t really seen Kai Havertz get to a point where I think, “this kid is going to be the real deal”. I just don’t quite get it, I don’t quite see it with him.

‘So it’s not easy for Graham Potter but there’s enough personnel there to find better solutions and to have better combinations at the top of the pitch.

‘They have to be better and create more chances. I don’t see Chelsea creating enough chances or the fans on the edge of their seats expecting goals right now.’

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Chelsea suffered a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat to bottom-placed Southampton last week and will be desperate to return to winning ways on Sunday against London rivals Tottenham.

‘It’s always tough when you lose at home, but the response of the players has been really good,’ Potter said at his pre-match press conference.

‘We’ve talked and tried to put things into perspective as well, because that’s also important, but at the same time it’s been a tough week.’

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