Journalist Gab Marcotti has named former Chelsea player Kai Havertz in his top five worst value for money signings of the 2023 summer transfer window.
Chelsea sold Kai Havertz to their London rivals Arsenal for £65m, as reported by BBC Sport, and Marcotti, speaking on ESPN, thinks it was a bad deal.
The forward has struggled at the Emirates this season, scoring just one goal for his new side so far, which came from the penalty spot.
However, he did set up Gabriel Martinelli’s winner against Manchester City just before the international break, which should give him some confidence.
Kai Havertz one of the worst value for money signings this year
Marcotti thinks Havertz is struggling to live up to his price tag and has ranked him second in his list of top five worst value for money signings from the last transfer window.
On ESPN, he said: “Kai Havertz, you know, I do think he’s potentially, [as] the songs goes, the best on earth. But 75 million [euros] is a ton of money just for one goal so far this season. He’s been dropped for Fabio Vieira on a couple of occasions.
“He’s kind of learning not really a new position, but a role he hasn’t played before or hasn’t played in a long time I should say, playing in attacking midfield. So far, we haven’t seen him live up to his price tag.”
Kai Havertz not worth £65m
Havertz arguably did not do enough at Chelsea to warrant a £65m move to Arsenal.
Of course, the 24-year-old German scored that all-important goal that won his former side the Champions League. But he never really delivered in the Premier League, the competition he has to play in week in, week out.
For example, Havertz was often tasked with leading the line at Stamford Bridge last season but scored just seven goals in 35 top-flight outings.
When you consider that, we think Chelsea did well to get £65m for the Germany international.
The above does not mean Havertz is a bad player. There is more to football than just scoring goals and Mikel Arteta did not bring the former Bayer Leverkusen man in to be a striker. But you still cannot help but feel that Arsenal overspent on this transfer.
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