Martin Keown believes Kai Havertz will return for Chelsea’s next game against West Ham United.
Keown delivered his verdict to Stadium Astro, following one of his former side’s 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Arsenal enjoyed a highly successful evening in the capital last night, handing Thomas Tuchel’s men their third successive defeat on home soil.
A changed Chelsea line-up could not cope with the pressure applied by the Gunners, leading to two extremely avoidable goals.
Lukaku gets his chance
One of the biggest decisions made by Tuchel pre-match was to reintroduce Romelu Lukaku to the XI instead of Havertz.
Lukaku had not started a Premier League game since his seven-touch performance away to Crystal Palace two months ago.
His last league goal dates even further back to the 1-1 draw with Brighton at the end of December.
The Belgian’s limited number of appearances can be credited to the form of his younger attacking teammate.
Havertz really made the centre-forward position his own after the turn of the year, scoring six times in eight fixtures between February and March.
Tuchel has heavily relied on his fellow countryman in the second half of the campaign, playing him repeatedly without much in the way of a break.
But the player was given a rare rest on Wednesday, allowing Lukaku to lead the line against Arsenal.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, the switch did not pay off in the slightest.
Lukaku wastes his chance
As has been a theme throughout the season, Lukaku looked a little lost in the system, often overlooked in offensive moves.
Granted, the number nine has only recently recovered from a small injury layoff, yet this cannot completely justify another ghostly display.
He was replaced by Havertz with an hour gone with very little to show from his run out.
Upon this evidence, Tuchel will almost certainly restore the 22-year-old for Sunday’s big encounter with West Ham, an alteration backed by Keown.
“They (Chelsea) did try and build around Lukaku tonight,” said the ex-Gunner.
“They played with Werner alongside and went with a slightly different midfield because he wants that striker around and it left Chelsea exposed the other way and made it more difficult for them.
“It can’t ever be about one player and I think Havertz will be their number one striker for their next match.”
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