Chelsea: Mount and Havertz can be a partnership, not a rivalry
When Chelsea signed Kai Havertz over the summer, some saw him as a Mason Mount rival, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
Frank Lampard’s recent switch back to the 4-3-3 formation presents a chance for Kai Havertz and Mason Mount to build a strong relationship in the centre of the midfield. This partnership can push the team forward this season after some attacking troubles early on.
It didn’t even feel like it was worth of any Chelsea fans’ attention. Those were the initial feelings after hearing the erroneous claims in German media that Mount was unsettled by the arrival of the German wunderkind. This story would go on to later be described as completely fabricated by Lampard and denied in an even stronger fashion by Mount’s father, Tony.
There was a common theme at the beginning of the season, before a competitive ball had even been kicked. However, it was a question that persisted—somewhat justifiably—not just in the No. 10 role, but in many areas of the squad. How is Lampard going to fit all these exciting new signings into the starting XI? While there are many threads to that question, what makes the conundrum of how Havertz and Mount will work together arguably the most interesting of the many ‘good’ problems the manager has this season, is how it intertwines with the story of last season. Things have turned into a new narrative for the Blues this season.
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Last season was heralded for the influx of academy talent stepping into the first team; this season is about the influx of talent being brought in from a host of top European leagues. With Mount and Havertz so strongly representing both paradigms, how they come to be deployed on the pitch together will surely be a fascinating spectacle for many years at the Bridge.
To begin to understand what these two talents can bring to the team, it’s important to realise how versatile they both are positionally. At Bayer Leverkusen, Havertz was able to display, quite frankly, unbelievable tactical versatility. In an article for the official Chelsea website, German Football expert Raphael Honigstein had this to say,
"“The beauty of Havertz is you can play him in almost any position apart from defence. I don’t think he’s necessarily a No. 6, but he’s definitely a player who can play centrally, both in a slightly deeper role or as a classic No. 10. He can just as easily play on either wing, or as a false nine as he’s done quite a lot in recent months”"
His attacking stats during his four seasons in the Bayer Leverkusen first team are mouth-watering. 46 goals and 31 assists in 150 appearances are figures to be proud of. Havertz has particularly turned heads with his ability to arrive late in the box to score goals, leading journalists to compare him to both Michael Ballack and Chelsea’s current manager. Although just a small sample of his total games played, his performances in last season’s Europa League display his finishing abilities inside the 18-yard box. In five games, he’s recorded 10 shots in the box with five hitting the target and four of those being converted.
Mount’s skill set is slightly easier to define. Like Havertz, he is comfortable playing in a No. 9 or a No. 6 role, as well as often being deployed on the wings. However, what sets Mount apart from Havertz is his pressing ability in the final third. Last season, the young Englishman was able to post excellent numbers both for pressures (875)—an attacking move that causes an opponent to either pass the ball backwards, or make an error—and tackles in the final third (16). In both categories, these figures were the best in the Chelsea squad.
To have a player in the team that offers N’Golo Kante-like tackling and pressing ability high up the pitch is integral to the modern game. Mount has the opportunity to give Havertz a free role to either arrive late in the box or roam and link up with the striker, like he did so effectively with Tammy Abraham against Barnsley. Furthermore, both players’ sporadic tendencies to pick up the ball deep is an incredibly useful trait. Alongside Jorginho’s ability to spray balls across the pitch, it will be vital to linking the defence and attack.
Tactically, Lampard will want to have players that compliment a formation rather than trying to find a formation to fit in players. No one wants to have a rerun of England’s famous ‘Lampard vs Gerard’ debate, at Chelsea. While the 4–2–3–1 has been useful with the attacking players available, the return of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic could point toward a change in system for the long term. There is very little doubt that Lampard wants to ideally build the team around the wing play of Pulisic and Ziyech and a 4-3-3 would allow for expansive wing play. It would also give both Havertz and Mount the chance to be able to occupy the centre of the pitch, where they do their best work.
October’s rain-soaked affair at Old Trafford might have done little to excite neutral viewers. However, for Chelsea fans, a second consecutive clean sheet signifies that Lampard is contemplating different tactical directions for the season. Moving to 3-4-3 for the United game, there was no space for Mount in the starting XI. He did make an appearance in the 72′ though, replacing Havertz, who was deployed on the right wing. With a defensive base establishing itself, an opportunity is emerging for a more attacking formation to be deployed.
Along with Edouard Mendy’s calming presence, the addition of Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva has added some much needed defensive nous, which would facilitate four at the back. With Kante or Jorginho at the base of a midfield three, this can truly free both Mount and Havertz and give them a chance to occupy central attacking areas. In addition, with fully fit wingers, there will be more blue shirts to aim for in the final third, rather than just an isolated Timo Werner.
Going into November, a kind fixture list in the Premier League and Champions League leaves Lampard and Jody Morris with a perfect opportunity to show their tactical adaptability. The Blues can move to a system that brings them more attacking freedom to the offensively inclined players while not disturbing the defensive confidence the team has found recently. In last week’s performances against Krasnodar and Burnley, 4-3-3 was utilised to varying degrees. Furthermore, at Turf Moor, we got to see Mount and Havertz starting together in central midfield for the first time. In these games, the aforementioned formation has shown itself to work to great effect with a near fully fit squad.
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Regardless of what shape Lampard and the coaching staff devise going forward in this topsy-turvy season, Havertz and Mount should be seen as the critical midfield hub. Together, they can connect a solid defence with a free-flowing attack.