>
‘I just don’t get it’: Andy Townsend doubts Kai Havertz’s ability to lead Chelsea’s shaky forward line as he is sympathetic to problems facing pressure from Graham Potter
- Chelsea have scored just 23 goals in 23 Premier League games this term
- Kai Havertz has faced criticism for his lack of power in front of Chelsea’s goal.
- Graham Potter is under increasing pressure to find solutions quickly
Andy Townsend has doubted the suitability of Kai Havertz to lead Chelsea’s shaky front line amid mounting pressure on manager Graham Potter.
The Blues have scored just 23 goals in as many Premier League games this term, and January’s £300m outlay didn’t help matters much, with Potter’s side registering just four goals in all competitions this term. calendar year.
Havertz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 in a deal worth £75m, is the club’s joint top scorer this season in all competitions with six goals.
Despite that, Townsend, speaking to TalkSport, opened up about Chelsea’s woes in front of goal and seemed to identify the German as at least part of the problem.
By the way, Graham Potter is not alone here, Thomas Tuchel also had problems there. He couldn’t get Timo Werner to fire and trying to get the best of Kai Havertz was hard,” he said.
Andy Townsend has said he does not fully understand Kai Havertz amid growing doubts about the German’s suitability to lead the line.
Havertz is the joint top scorer for the club this season, although he has only managed six goals.
“I haven’t really seen Kai Havertz get to a point where he’s like, ‘This guy is going to be the real deal.'” I just don’t quite get it, I don’t quite see it with him.
The former Chelsea player added: “So it’s not easy for Graham Potter, but there are enough staff there to find better solutions and 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 fans on the edge of their seats waiting for goals at the moment.”
Havertz has enjoyed a mixed time with Chelsea. Despite a somewhat tough first season in which he seemed to struggle with Premier League intensity at times, he ended it with a Champions League winner’s medal after scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Manchester City in Porto.
However, he has only scored 29 goals, a disappointing return for a player the club signed to much fanfare after a great Bundesliga season. He hasn’t scored for Chelsea since mid-January’s win over Crystal Palace.
On occasion, he has been questioned due to his apparent lack of role. Chelsea doesn’t seem clearer than when he joined as to whether he’s better behind a centre-forward or as that focal point himself.
Chelsea’s season under Potter reached its nadir last weekend when they lost 1-0 at home to bottom side Southampton.
Townsend, himself a former Chelsea player, seemed to take a liking to Graham Potter.
Despite his problems, the German will always have his winning goal in Porto to fall back on.
Potter spoke to the media ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Tottenham on Sunday and admitted to having endured a difficult week after the Southampton defeat.
The result sparked a cacophony of boos from the Stamford Bridge crowd, with many supporters appearing to turn on the former Brighton and Swansea boss.
With the pressure mounting, Potter accepted that it’s always difficult when you lose at home, but he praised his players for the way they reacted this week.
“It’s always difficult when you lose at home, but the response from the players has been really good,” Potter said on Friday.
“We’ve talked and tried to put things in perspective as well, because that’s also important, but at the same time it’s been a tough week.”
Chelsea travel to Tottenham on Sunday with both sides looking to ease lingering questions about their managers’ future.