Unveiling the Transfer Buzz: Why Arsenal's Move for Kai Havertz Could Spell Game-Changing Success

Kai Havertz, despite facing challenges in his season with Chelsea, is on the verge of becoming one of the most costly signings in the Premier League this summer. Arsenal is currently engaged in negotiations to acquire him for a sum exceeding £60m. This comes after his three-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, where he encountered difficulties in maintaining a consistent performance level since his £75m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.

With the potential transfer of Havertz to the Emirates Stadium gaining momentum, Joe Shread and Nick Wright analyze the implications for Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively.

If Havertz decides to leave Chelsea, his departure will leave behind a complex legacy that makes it challenging to evaluate his three-year tenure in west London.

Having been acquired for a hefty sum of £75m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, the 24-year-old is on the verge of leaving with a rather average scoring record of 32 goals in 139 matches. Additionally, there is a perception that he struggled to establish a distinct role for himself within the Chelsea team.

Havertz's scoring rate at Chelsea stands at 0.23 goals per game, which is lower than his average of 0.31 goals per game at Leverkusen. The 2022/23 season was particularly disappointing for him, as his performance fell short of expectations. In fact, only Leeds' Patrick Bamford had a greater underperformance compared to his expected goals output. Additionally, Havertz failed to convert 14 out of the 18 significant scoring opportunities he had.

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Havertz's value as a forward should not be solely determined by the number of goals he scores. It is equally crucial to consider when and where he scores them. Notably, his impactful winning goals in the finals of the 2021 Champions League and the 2022 Club World Cup have solidified his reputation as a player who performs exceptionally during significant moments. Therefore, when assessing Havertz's tenure at Chelsea, these achievements must be taken into account.

However, it is worth questioning if Chelsea's deployment of Havertz has hindered his progress. While his versatility has secured him regular starts, he has often been tasked with playing as a lone striker, shouldering the responsibility of being the team's main source of goals.

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Havertz's suitability as a No 9 is not in question. When given the opportunity to drop deep and partnered with dependable goal scorers either behind him or on the flanks, it becomes evident that the German can excel as a skillful false nine.

Havertz, however, has been tasked with a different role at Chelsea. Instead of playing as a No 8 or a lone No 10, he has been given the responsibility to lead the line. Unfortunately, his fellow attackers have struggled to consistently find the back of the net, hindering Havertz's chances to showcase his skills in linking the play and scoring goals by making late runs into the penalty area.

The constant turnover of head coaches at Chelsea, with Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and then Lampard again, highlights the dysfunctional environment that Havertz has been forced to work in during his time at the club.

Havertz under Poch? What could have been...

For those who believe Havertz is to blame for not living up to his potential at Chelsea, the reported fee of approximately £65m that Arsenal is willing to pay for a player with only two years left on his contract is likely to be enticing.

Despite Havertz's lack of interest in renewing his current contract, the arrival of a new manager who has the potential to unlock his full potential adds to the appeal of the deal. Additionally, the presence of Christopher Nkunku, a £52m signing from RB Leipzig, who plays in a comparable position, further enhances the attractiveness of the potential transfer.

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During Mauricio Pochettino's tenure at Tottenham, he often utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dele Alli occupying the role of the central attacking midfielder. Despite Dele Alli's struggles in recent times, it is important to remember that under Pochettino's guidance from 2015 to 2018, he developed into one of the most impressive attacking talents in the Premier League.

Havertz possesses numerous qualities reminiscent of Alli during his prime: speed, power, prowess in the air, and a talent for finding open spaces in the attacking third. It would have been intriguing to witness the impact Pochettino could have had on Havertz's development. However, it seems that Arteta will now be entrusted with unleashing his undeniable potential.

Why his finishing is no worry to Arsenal

Arsenal supporters may have concerns about Havertz's scoring record at Chelsea, as the underlying data from last season does not paint a positive picture. It suggests that he lacks the cutting edge needed to consistently find the back of the net.

However, it is important to consider that Havertz's performance aligns with his expected goals in the previous two seasons. Additionally, he had an impressive record of 38 goals in 87 appearances during his time with Bayer Leverkusen before joining Chelsea. Furthermore, he has also found the net 13 times in 36 games for the German national team.

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Why his finishing is no worry to Arsenal

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In addition to his scoring abilities, Arsenal hopes that these numbers truly showcase his untapped potential as a finisher, surpassing his previous performance during a tumultuous stint at Chelsea. Plus, it's important to note that scoring is just one aspect of his game.

Havertz has displayed his ability to play as a false nine, however, he has never been a traditional striker. He prefers to describe himself as a midfield player who enjoys making runs into the box. Therefore, it is more appropriate to assess his overall contribution rather than just his goal-scoring ability.

This is exactly what Tuchel did. In February of last year, the German coach acknowledged that while Havertz could improve in terms of scoring goals, his contributions to the team were already significant and consistent.

Havertz possesses a diverse range of qualities.

In terms of his performance on the field, he excels as a skilled technician, with a smooth and relaxed style that brings to mind the finesse of Dimitar Berbatov. However, it is off the field where Havertz truly shines, making him all the more appealing to Arteta and Arsenal.

Whether operating on the wing or positioned in the center, his mobility is truly exceptional. Havertz consistently seeks to offer a viable choice for his fellow teammates in the attacking third, and his determination to challenge opposing defenses is evident through his impressive off-the-ball runs.

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He ranked highly in terms of off-the-ball runs last season

Havertz's attacking prowess was evident in the Premier League last season, where he ranked third in terms of attacking runs. He was surpassed only by Tottenham's Heung-Min Son and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Notably, only four players, namely Watkins, Son, Erling Haaland, and Marcus Rashford, made more runs that posed a threat to the opposition's defense. Furthermore, the effectiveness of Havertz's runs can be gauged by the fact that only Mohamed Salah's runs were targeted for more passes.

"He possesses an exceptional ability to navigate through the playing field," Tayfun Korkut, his former manager at Bayer Leverkusen, elaborated in 2020. "His precise positioning and astute awareness enable him to identify and exploit the gaps. As soon as one space becomes congested, he seamlessly transitions to the next available space.

"In addition to his ball control, he exerts mastery over the spatial dynamics. This is precisely why he consistently finds himself in the optimal position."

How he could give Gunners a new dimension

Arteta will undoubtedly be captivated by Havertz's ability to move and control space, which aligns with his desire for attacking players to constantly interchange positions, creating an element of unpredictability. Given his versatility, Havertz proved himself adept in various roles within the front line, with some even suggesting he excels as a midfielder. Korkut even proposed that his optimal position lies as a No 8 in the 4-3-3 formation, back in 2020.

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Havertz has consistently showcased his versatility during his tenure at Chelsea. It is worth noting that Arteta employs a similar formation at Arsenal, where Martin Odegaard currently occupies the right-sided No 8 position. This serves as a testament to the various positions Havertz could potentially excel in within the team.

He possesses exceptional versatility, capable of seamlessly adapting to the opposite side of the field, where Granit Xhaka was positioned in the previous season. Additionally, he could serve as a valuable substitute for Bukayo Saka on the right flank, alleviating the burden of his extensive playing time from the previous year.

Furthermore, his potential extends to playing as a forward, providing an additional attacking option.

Havertz possesses similar traits to Gabriel Jesus in terms of his agility, dedication, and pressing capabilities. Last season, he outperformed every other Chelsea player in terms of high-intensity sprints and ground coverage. However, he would bring a unique set of qualities to the No 9 position as well.

Standing at 6ft 2ins, Havertz provides a valuable advantage in terms of height and aerial ability, which Arsenal currently lacks in that position. Although he is not a conventional target man, he possesses the strength and physical presence necessary to win duels and involve his teammates in the game. Additionally, he poses a threat in the air within the penalty area.

A closer analysis of the statistics unveils even more insightful findings.

In total, Havertz boasted a remarkable 56 percent success rate in his aerial duels throughout the previous season, surpassing even the likes of Ivan Toney and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who achieved 48 percent each. In contrast, Jesus only managed to secure a mere 37 percent of his aerial duels. Ultimately, a move to Arsenal could prove advantageous for all parties involved.

An outcome to suit all parties

Chelsea could potentially recoup the majority of the £75m fee they invested in the player, even though he had a disappointing season. Additionally, the signing of Nkunku as a potential replacement further supports this possibility.

In contrast, Arsenal would view this acquisition as an opportunity to tap into the player's immense potential. At 24 years old, he still has his prime years ahead of him and possesses the versatility to play in various positions. Moreover, his presence in the attack would offer Arteta a fresh and distinctive option.

For Havertz, this would mark a new chapter in his career, allowing him to demonstrate the full range of his skills that earned him the reputation as one of Europe's most thrilling young talents during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.