Kai Havertz Transfer Exclusive: The Unveiled Truth Behind Chelsea's Decision and Arsenal's Irresistible Attraction

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Despite an underwhelming season with Chelsea, Kai Havertz is on the verge of becoming one of the summer transfer window's most expensive signings in the Premier League. Arsenal, as reported by Sky in Germany, have secured a €75m (£64m) transfer deal for the German midfielder. Havertz, who previously spent three years at Stamford Bridge, has struggled to maintain a steady performance since his £75m move from Bayer Leverkusen.

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What will Havertz's legacy be at Chelsea? Which club will benefit more from the deal? And what are the attributes that make him desirable to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta?

Havertz's Chelsea legacy hard to judge

As rumors circulate of a potential move for Havertz to the Emirates Stadium, Joe Shread and Nick Wright analyze the Chelsea and Arsenal perspectives, respectively.

With Havertz's anticipated departure from Chelsea, his impact during his three-year stint in west London remains a complex evaluation.

Acquired for a hefty sum of £75m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, the 24-year-old is now on the verge of departing with a rather ordinary scoring record of 32 goals in 139 games. Furthermore, there is a prevailing notion that he struggled to establish a distinct role for himself within the Chelsea team.

Havertz's average goals per game at Chelsea stands at 0.23, which is lower than his 0.31 average at Leverkusen. His performance during the 2022/23 season, in particular, was underwhelming, resulting in a greater underperformance compared to his expected goals output than Leeds' Patrick Bamford. Additionally, Havertz failed to convert 14 out of the 18 significant scoring opportunities presented to him.

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But forwards should not solely be judged on the number of goals they score; when and where they score them can be equally important.

Havertz's reputation as a player for the big occasion is supported by his winning goals in the 2021 Champions League and the 2022 Club World Cup finals. These achievements should be taken into account when evaluating his tenure at Chelsea. However, it is worth noting that Havertz has only scored six goals in the Champions League throughout 31 matches with the Blues. Considering that he is a regular starter for one of Europe's top clubs, higher expectations in terms of goal-scoring could be justified.

However, it is legitimate to question if Havertz's utilization by Chelsea has truly hindered his progress. While his flexibility has guaranteed consistent appearances, he has frequently been deployed as a solitary forward, bearing the weight of being the main source of goals for the team.

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Havertz reacts after missing a chance for Chelsea last season

Playing as a No 9 does not necessarily suit Havertz; however, if given the opportunity to drop deep and be supported by dependable goalscorers either playing behind him or on the flanks, it becomes apparent that the German could thrive as a skilled false nine. Nevertheless, Chelsea has not assigned him this role; rather, they have tasked Havertz with spearheading the attack, despite his fellow attackers struggling to consistently find the back of the net.

Havertz has had limited chances to showcase his skills in positions that complement his ability to connect the play and score goals by making late runs into the penalty area. Additionally, the constant change in head coaches at Chelsea - from Frank Lampard to Thomas Tuchel, then Graham Potter, and back to Lampard - further emphasizes the lack of stability and dysfunction he has faced during his time at the club.

Havertz under Poch? What could have been...

For those who believe Havertz bears responsibility for his unfulfilled potential at Chelsea, the thought of Arsenal shelling out a rumored sum of approximately £65m for a player with only two years remaining on his contract is undeniably tempting.

Further adding to the allure of the deal is Havertz's reported lack of interest in extending his current contract, coupled with the presence of Christopher Nkunku, a £52m acquisition from RB Leipzig who operates in a similar position.

Yet the feeling remains that Havertz is set to leave at the time when a manager who may finally have been able to bring the best out of him has arrived at the club.

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Could Havertz have thrived under Mauricio Pochettino?

During his tenure at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino frequently utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dele Alli occupying the role of the Number 10. Despite Dele Alli's struggles in recent campaigns, it is important to remember that between 2015 and 2018, Mauricio Pochettino played a crucial role in developing Alli into one of the most exceptional offensive talents in the Premier League.

Similar to Alli during his prime, Havertz possesses numerous qualities, including speed, physical strength, aerial prowess, and a remarkable ability to find open spaces in the attacking third.

Why his finishing is no worry to Arsenal

Concerns may arise among Arsenal supporters regarding Havertz's relatively modest scoring record at Chelsea. The underlying data from last season does not paint a flattering picture, suggesting a lack of cutting edge in his performance.

Havertz's performance in the previous two seasons aligned closely with his expected goals. In his last two years with Bayer Leverkusen, he recorded an impressive 38 goals in 87 appearances. Additionally, he has scored 13 times in 36 games for the German national team.

Arsenal's optimism lies in the belief that these statistics better reflect Havertz's true potential as a goal scorer, as opposed to his inconsistent three-year tenure at Chelsea.

In addition, his scoring ability is just one aspect of his game. Havertz has demonstrated that he excels in playing as a false nine, but he has never solely been recognized as a traditional striker. Instead, he defines himself as "a midfield player who enjoys making forward runs into the penalty area." Hence, it is better to assess him based on his overall contribution rather than solely focusing on his scoring prowess.

His abilities are diverse.

Content: Havertz's exceptional technical skills make him a formidable player on the field, with a languid style reminiscent of Dimitar Berbatov. However, it is his prowess off the ball that truly sets him apart and makes him all the more appealing to Arteta and Arsenal. Regardless of his position on the field, whether on the flank or centrally, Havertz's movement is top-notch. He consistently seeks to create opportunities for his teammates in the attacking third, evident in his impressive off-the-ball running statistics.

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In terms of off-the-ball runs last season, Havertz ranked third in the Premier League, with only Heung-Min Son from Tottenham making more of them. Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa came in second.

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Out of all the players, namely Watkins, Son, Erling Haaland, and Marcus Rashford, only four players made more runs that posed a challenge to the opposition's defensive line. Havertz's runs were particularly impressive, as he was the second most targeted player for passes, just behind Mohamed Salah.

Tayfun Korkut, his former manager at Bayer Leverkusen, praised Havertz's movement on the pitch, stating, "He displays exceptional positioning between the lines. He possesses a keen sense of where to be and identifies the available spaces. As soon as one space gets closed off, he swiftly transitions to the next."

How he could give Gunners a new dimension

Havertz's ability to not only manipulate the ball but also dominate the surrounding area showcases his exceptional control. This is precisely why he consistently finds himself in the optimal position on the field.

Havertz regularly featured as a central striker for Chelsea, although he showcased his versatility by playing in various positions across the front line. There are even proponents who regard him as a midfielder. In fact, Korkut stated in 2020 that his strongest position might be as a No. 8 in a 4-3-3 formation.

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Havertz's versatility has been evident throughout his time at Chelsea

This is the formation Arteta employs at Arsenal, with Martin Odegaard currently occupying the right-sided No 8 position. Havertz possesses the versatility to potentially fill various positions in the team, including the role held by Granit Xhaka in the previous season. Moreover, he could also offer a valuable alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right flank, considering the extensive demands placed upon him in the previous campaign.

Then there is the possibility of deploying him as a forward.

Havertz shares similarities with Gabriel Jesus in terms of his agility, work ethic, and capability to press opponents. Last season, he demonstrated his exceptional stamina by making the most high-intensity sprints and covering more distance than any other Chelsea player. Nonetheless, Havertz would also bring unique attributes to the Number 9 position.

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, he brings valuable height and an exceptional aerial ability to Arsenal's lineup, something they currently lack in the said position. Havertz may not possess the characteristics of a typical target man, but his physicality and stature allow him to excel in winning duels, involving teammates in the game, and posing a threat in the air within the penalty area.

During the previous season, he impressively scored three goals with headers in the Premier League. Moreover, among all the players in the division, only eight attempted more headed shots, with a mere 11 having a higher accuracy rate on target.

Taking a closer examination of the statistics provides further insight.

Havertz emerged victorious in 56 percent of his aerial duels last season, surpassing the success rates of Ivan Toney and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who both stood at 48 percent. In contrast, Jesus only managed to win 37 percent of his aerial duels.

An outcome to suit all parties

In the end, a transfer to Arsenal could be beneficial for all parties concerned. It would enable Chelsea to recover a significant portion of the £75m they invested in him, despite his disappointing performance this season. Additionally, the signing of Nkunku as a potential replacement further supports this move.

On the contrary, Arsenal would view the acquisition of a player with tremendous untapped potential. At the age of 24, he still has his prime years ahead of him and possesses the versatility to excel in various positions, providing Arteta with a unique attacking option.

As for Havertz, this move represents a fresh beginning and a chance to display his full range of talents. At Bayer Leverkusen, he demonstrated why he was considered one of Europe's most exhilarating young players.