KAI HAVERTZ must improve against Liverpool after the £86million newcomer flopped on his Chelsea debut and appeared not to care.
That’s the verdict of Arsenal legend Paul Merson amid speculation Germany attacker Havertz might be dropped to the bench at home to the champions on Sunday afternoon.
Kai Havertz has been accused of struggling on his Chelsea debut and not seeming bothered when he was taken offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Havertz was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi in Chelsea’s Premier League opener, Monday’s 3-1 win at Brighton.
And Merson questioned not only the ex-Bayer Leverkusen hero’s display but also his attitude.
The former England striker wrote in his Daily Star column: “Kai Havertz has got a lot to do. He didn’t play well.
“He didn’t even look interested at times. When he came off, he didn’t really seem to care. It was strange.”
And ex-Chelsea centre-back Frank Leboeuf has even suggested Havertz, 21, might need to be sidelined against Liverpool.
Frenchman Leboeuf believes sending a signal of intent to the rest of the league – by posting a positive result against Jurgen Klopp’s men – is far more important than giving Havertz time to adjust to the faster pace of the Prem.
The 1998 World Cup winner told ESPN FC: “The problem is you have a big game against one of the contenders and you’re going to play at home.
“If you lose the second game of the Premier League against Liverpool, it’s going to tell you what you’re going to expect for the rest of the season.
“So I think Frank Lampard should line up the players who are ready, who are ready to compete.
“If Havertz is not ready, if he’s physically not ready, he shouldn’t play… Chelsea have to show that they can fight with Liverpool.”
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard thinks that new signing Kai Havertz can play in any position
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
