KAI HAVERTZ admits there are ‘no excuses’ for his Chelsea form but believes he can make a ‘big turnaround’.
The 21-year-old became Chelsea’s record signing when he joined for £71million from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
The attacker has failed to replicate the form he showed in the Bundesliga so far in the Premier League and lost his place under the now axed Frank Lampard.
However, the Blues are unbeaten since his countryman Thomas Tuchel took charge and he believes he can finally blossom under the German.
Speaking to Chelsea’s website ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid, which they lead 1-0, Havertz said: ‘The coronavirus is now over [for me] and I feel good.
“I had a little injury in the past few weeks but it’s now time to play good.
“I have to improve my game. It has not been easy for me but there are no excuses.
“I just have to keep on working and hopefully there will be a big turnaround soon. I will give it my best.”
Havertz was deployed in a No.9 role against Leeds on Saturday, and despite just one top-flight goal so far this term, Tuchel has every confidence the ace has what it takes to lead the line.
The Blues boss said: “I think that Kai feels very comfortable in high positions. I feel he is very comfortable to go to drop in to half-spaces from the high position, to turn and drive with the ball and use his speed.
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“But he also arrives very naturally in the box and the six-yard box, to finish our attacks.’
“He’s comfortable in finishing, he’s strong in finishing. He can clearly play as a No 9, he can play as a half-striker or as a winger.
“These are his positions and today we used him as a number nine and I’m happy.
“Unfortunately he could not finish like his finishes in training and like his talents allow him to finish because we had enough chances.
“It’s a position where he feels comfortable and I trust him in this position.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
