Kai Havertz shines as the false nine for Chelsea against Everton

Chelsea supporters are a unique bunch, that much is true. One of the most anticipated events of any given matchday is the official unveiling of the day’s starting XI. Blues fans cannot get enough team news, some going as far as to pay to read leaked information less than an hour before it is released to the public. Each and every one of us has sat on pins and needles waiting to see a matchups team news—there’s no shame in admitting it. A large majority of those fans on social media also love to overreact though. It’s like clockwork leading up to every game.

Monday was no different.

Twitter almost had a full blown meltdown when Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva were named to the bench against Everton, while Jorginho and Kai Havertz were given starts. Thomas Tuchel once again showed everyone why he’s the man calling the shots, and others are the ones behind the computer screen. The manager’s starting XI blew a strong Everton side out of the water, 2-0. There wasn’t a player who put a foot wrong during the dominant display on Monday, but it was the superb play of Havertz that stood out.

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Havertz was handed his first start in the league since Tuchel’s first game in charge. However, he was given different instructions this time. The wunderkind started as a false nine, despite Timo Werner also being named to the XI. To say it worked to perfection would be an understatement.

Although Havertz’s name won’t technically show up on the scoresheet, he had a hand in almost every positive thing the Blues did in the match. He opened Chelsea’s account on the day, firing a shot at Jordan Pickford’s goal. It took a wicked deflection off Ben Godfrey and was ruled an own goal, but Havertz forced the young centerback into the error. The 21-year-old looked to have actually scored early in the second half, as well, but his goal was ruled out due to a controversial handball call. He got redemption moments later when his brilliant run into the box forced a clumsy tackle out of Pickford, earning a penalty which Jorginho later buried for the Blues’ second and final goal of the game.

Can Havertz play as a striker going forward though?

Quite frankly, I’m shocked it took a Chelsea manager this long to give him a shot at leading the line. Havertz has struggled to get going this season—mostly for reasons beyond his control. In addition to adapting to life in London, his contraction of the Coronavirus took an obvious toll on his overall health. The former Leverkusen man looked lively in Tuchel’s first game against Wolves and although he hasn’t seen much of the pitch since, his incredible performance versus Everton acts as a reminder as to just how much talent the youngster possesses.

Havertz has yet to adapt to the physicality and pace of the English top tier. Playing him in midfield at the moment—especially in a pivot—seems like a plan destined to flop. Therefore, a false nine was always the route to go as he can focus solely on the attacking phase of the game. In that advanced position, he’s able to make darting runs between the centerbacks and create space for his fellow attackers. It’s also a way to utilize his passing ability and natural eye for goal higher up the pitch than normal.

The Blues’ patience with Havertz has been important, as well. More often than not in these scenarios, teams keep trying to fit a square peg in a round hole until a struggling player comes good or loses all confidence. Frank Lampard and Tuchel have taken different approaches though. Havertz finally looks match fit and deploying him in a new role was undoubtedly the correct move. If we’ve learned anything during his time in the Premier League, it’s that his best position is an advanced role, ideally somewhere he can straddle the penalty area. He cut his cloth in the Bundesliga as a second striker, right winger and No. 10, so it makes sense to get him more involved up top.

This experiment should continue following its successful debut against Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton. The Blues have some important fixtures on the horizon, so Tuchel may hold off for the time being. Rest assured, we’ve certainly not seen the last of Havertz as Chelsea’s No. 9. Perhaps more importantly though, the latest result proved Tuchel’s side can function without Mount. Hopefully it won’t have to very often, but the 22-year-old team nucleus is suspended for the second leg of the Atletico Madrid tie. Havertz represents one of the many flexible options the German manager now has at his disposal.

The recent team selections show Tuchel is obviously still tweaking his personnel and tactics—this is especially true in regards to the front line. Havertz gave the gaffer something new to consider with his stunning performance against the Toffees. Now, let’s all hope this was the record transfer’s breakout game. Havertz has yet to arrive on the scene, but his Man of the Match performance at the Bridge could act as a warning to the rest of the league as the season reaches its latter stages.

What do you think Havertz’s best position is? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!