Chelsea: Four lessons learnt in embarrassing loss at Wolves

2. Kai Havertz also needs some time off

There’s a theme here: Chelsea’s German imports are running out of gas. In many ways, the issues affecting Werner apply equally to Kai Havertz, whose dull performance against Wolves was the continuation of a worrying trend. Havertz’s problems, however, differ slightly from those impacting Werner’s production. Namely, Havertz looks like he still has yet to regain full fitness after a relatively severe bout with COVID-19.

While the effects of the virus are wide ranging and still not perfectly understood, a lasting sense of exhaustion seems to be fairly common, regardless of age or preexisting conditions. Havertz tested positive for the virus somewhere around the end of October and the beginning of November, finally returning to the field as a substitute against Stade Rennais on November 24. He has started all five of Chelsea’s matches in December so far, though he has yet to complete a full 90’. Against Wolves, he came off in the 71′, replaced by Mateo Kovacic. It was a merciful end to a brutal day.

A player’s health should always be a club’s top priority at any time, but that fact seems particularly poignant this season in particular. There is no reason to assume that Chelsea’s medical staff or management team are committing malpractice by declaring Havertz fit enough to play, but his performances suggest some lingering issues. Unlike Werner, Havertz doesn’t use his pace as a main means of beating defenders, instead opting to use good positioning and one-twos to create space for himself. That said, his role still requires plenty of running, whether he’s playing as a right winger or a right-side central midfielder, as he was against Wolves.

Prior to contracting COVID, Havertz was almost always taking up great positions near the top of the opponent’s box in attacking moves, while also recovering possession in his own box when necessary. Both aspects of his game have been missing in recent weeks, with Tuesday’s performance being a glaring example. Especially in a match where Reece James struggled, Havertz’s efforts on the right of midfield weren’t enough to cover for the fullback’s mistakes. The introduction of Kovacic in his place accentuated just how badly Havertz’s work rate was lacking.

Much like Werner, the best solution is simply a long period of rest, if only to simulate the winter break Havertz is used to enjoying in the Bundesliga. A bit of light fitness training wouldn’t hurt, but just taking off for two weeks might do the trick. From a medical perspective, one would hope that he’ll still be consistently evaluated for any long-term issues from the virus, one of the scariest of which could be myocarditis, a swelling of the heart muscle that has been found in some college athletes who have contracted the virus.

Regardless, Tuesday’s loss against Wolves showed that Havertz is still well off his best form, and a steady diet of minutes over the next few weeks likely isn’t the answer. Again, similar to Werner, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if Havertz’s next appearance came in 2021.