Three big questions: Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and new horizons

3. The new Eden Hazard?

Comparisons are bound to be made between Havertz and Eden Hazard. Both were seen as generational talents at a young age. Both made moves to Chelsea. And of course, both are attackers.

Okay, those are thin comparisons but it is certainly the narrative that will be driven throughout the course of the season. What matters is the expectation that comes attached.

Hazard was not really seen as a player to immediately rise to the occasion and bring Chelsea to the next level. He was seen as a starter, yes, but few would have predicted just how quickly he would have become Chelsea’s talisman. At the end of his first season, he took Juan Mata’s vacant 10 shirt and no one batted an eye as he had already lived up to that honor.

Because Hazard did, much of the same might be expected of Havertz. He has already drawn playing style comparisons to the manager himself as fans desperately look for that talisman that can replace Hazard. The closest the Blues have right now is Christian Pulisic. That is, a player that can start or come on and turn the game on its head in a moment’s notice.

The comparison to Pulisic might be the one no one is talking about or considering. US media threw a fit when Lampard did not immediately rely on the American. One reason was Pulisic had just come off the Gold Cup and had basically played non stop all calendar year. Another was, as cliche as it sounds, that the Premier League is simply different. Lampard eased Pulisic in and it was a masterstroke given how quickly the American has developed as a player under Lampard.

Havertz is probably going to find himself in a similar boat and it is probably going to be just as controversial if not more so. He (along with the rest of the world) has been playing nearly non stop since March. Chelsea’s first two fixtures are away to Brighton and hosting Liverpool. It is likely that Lampard looks at those two matches and opts to use Havertz as substitute instead of a starter to ease him in like he did with Pulisic.

Fans will be upset and it will be understandable. But Lampard earned the benefit of the doubt over Pulisic. If Havertz’s first start is not until match day three, do not be surprised. Then he can start laying the foundation for the Hazard comparisons.

What questions do you think need to be asked of Kai Havertz? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!