Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher have revealed differing views over Kai Havertz’s number 10 role in Chelsea’s 2-0 home loss to Liverpool.
Blues manager Frank Lampard opted for the more familiar 4-3-3 instead of the 4-2-3-1 he used to facilitate Mateo Kovacic’s return to the team for the win over Brighton.
On paper, Havertz and Mason Mount were deployed on the flanks, with Timo Werner as a number nine.
Havertz could often be found in more central areas throughout the first half, though, as his compatriot drifted wide on the left while Mount played a bit deeper on the other side of the pitch.
Carragher was confused by Havertz’s role, arguing it didn’t suit Lampard’s 4-3-3 system.
He told Sky Sports (via the Daily Mirror): “I do look and think, ‘where does Havertz play? Where does he fit into a 4-3-3?’
“He almost looks like a number 10 and we don’t see them as much in football now.
“Where he played today, I don’t think that suited Chelsea.”
Redknapp saw it differently, though, and believes the former Bayer Leverkusen ace would add the much-needed creativity to Chelsea’s midfield, particularly with Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in the engine room.
“I think Havertz is a number 10,” he said in response to Carragher’s comments.
“With the three they played in midfield today, you need a bit more craft.
“You’ve got to give Havertz time. We have to be careful. We’re judging a player.
“You’ve got (Christian) Pulisic and (Hakim) Ziyech to come in.”
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