Pat Nevin says Borussia Dortmund defenders really struggled against Chelsea 23-year-old

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Pat Nevin claims Chelsea’s Kai Havertz was a complete menace to Borussia Dortmund yesterday.

Havertz, 23, was the match-winning hero for the Blues on Tuesday night in a Champions League thriller.

Chelsea went into last night’s match at Stamford Bridge trailing 1-0 on aggregate, but they won the contest 2-0 inside 90 minutes to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Raheem Sterling’s opener levelled the tie, which was thoroughly deserved based on the amount of opportunities carved out by Graham Potter’s side.

Havertz’s penalty in the second-half secured Chelsea’s progression in the Champions League, but he did have to overcome the pressure of a retaken spot-kick after missing the first penalty attempt.

Nevin loved the overall contribution from Havertz this week on the Champions League stage.

In particular, he explained that the Dortmund backline really struggled to cope with the movement of Chelsea’s attacker.

“Their central defenders didn’t know what to do with him (Havertz),” Nevin said, as quoted by the club’s official YouTube channel.

“When he had to be physical, he was more physical. His technique on the ball today was exceptional. I know he’s got that; he is right up there with the best in the business for technique on the ball.

“He hit the post. He scored the penalty under severe pressure. I think the manager might have been tempted to take him off at various points because of the work rate, but who’s going to hold the ball up anywhere near as good as him?”

Incidentally, he wasn’t the only person massively impressed with Havertz’s efforts yesterday, with Joe Cole hailing his individual performance.

Havertz once again started the game as Chelsea’s central striker.

However, there was a real fluid movement between Havertz, Sterling and Joao Felix as a front three in attack.

It was the kind of display that reminds everyone of how much individual ability the Germany international actually has, but he may need a few more consistent performances to win round all his doubters.

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