Michael Ballack suggests Chelsea play Kai Havertz behind the striker
Speaking to Bild (h/t Football.London), Chelsea legend Michael Ballack has suggested the club play Kai Havertz in a position behind the striker to make the best use of his qualities.
Ballack, a Premier League and three-time FA Cup winner with Chelsea, went on to say that even though Havertz has shown at Stamford Bridge and previously that he can do well as a number nine, his best quality would be harnessed with him in a system behind the centre-forward.
Havertz played as a number nine and scored the winning goal in the club’s 2021 Champions League success. Last season though, he struggled to be clinical in front of goal whenever he played in that position.
Here’s what Ballack exactly said about where he would like the German international to play (h/t Football.London):
“Kai has proven – even before that with Chelsea – that he can fill the striker role well. It’s a pity though, because I see him in a system that is ideal for him behind the striker. There he can make even better use of his qualities.”
Before Chelsea, when the 23-year-old was at Bayer Leverkusen, his favoured position was of an attacking midfielder, but he was also a hit when playing as a number nine as well.
With what Ballack is suggesting, the Blues may have the right personnel to execute that system. They have a centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who can occupy the box and the centre-backs, while Havertz can pick up space between the lines and work his magic on the ball.
The good news for Graham Potter’s men is that Aubameyang has settled in quickly and looks in good goal-scoring touch. So, at the moment, the manager could actually be forced to play Havertz in a supporting role behind the Gabon striker, if he wants to include both of them in his system.
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The German international is a quality player and a deceptively good finder of space. With Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount around and Aubameyang leading the line, his best position going forward could well be in the hole between the forward line and the midfield, linking the whole team up in possession.
