‘Played so well’: Glenn Hoddle says 22-year-old had his best game ever for Chelsea on Tuesday night

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Glenn Hoddle claims Kai Havertz’s performance on Tuesday night against Lille was his best in a Chelsea shirt to date.

Havertz scored the opener earlier this week in Chelsea’s 2-0 home win against Lille in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie.

The 22-year-old attacker powered in a header for his seventh goal of the season, as he got the chance to spearhead the frontline in the central striker position. Meanwhile, teammate Romelu Lukaku remained an unused substitute on the bench.

Havertz’s versatility means he often moves around between roles at striker, number 10 and on the wings.

The German left-footer’s opening 18 months at Stamford Bridge has seen him struggle for form massively at times, with many underwhelmed by his impact after previously starring in the Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen.

However, he can fall back on the winning goal for the Blues in the final of the Champions League, as well as the Club World Cup final.

Pundit and ex-Chelsea player Hoddle was really encouraged by Havertz’s overall performance in Europe this week, too.

“He’s had a good evening, Havertz. Probably the best I’ve seen him play in a Chelsea shirt, his all-round play,” Hoddle said on BT Sport’s televised coverage (75th minute, 22 February).

He added (84th minute): “That’s going to be an intriguing one at the weekend whether he (Tuchel) keeps Havertz in, he’s played so well, or has he kept Lukaku fresh for the Sunday final?”

Incidentally, Gary Lineker described Havertz as Hoddle-esque after his Champions League display.

Chelsea must start him Sunday

Surely, Havertz retains his spot in the starting line-up for this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

It was a really encouraging performance from him two days ago with his quality on the ball and movement in the final third. He works so hard out of possession, too.

There is the option to play a Havertz-Lukaku combination, something which could surprise opponents Liverpool.

Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is left with a major decision on his hands, and either way he’s going to upset some high-profile players by putting them on the bench.

He’s got to select the XI he thinks is best equipped to get a result at the weekend.

Havertz’s success in finals surely has to come into Tuchel’s thought process.

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