Rudiger sends message to Kai Havertz about getting back into Chelsea team

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Antonio Rudiger said he and Thomas Tuchel will try to help Kai Havertz at Chelsea but insisted the midfielder will eventually have to prove himself on the pitch.

To help bring the best out of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz is said to be one of the reasons why Chelsea decided to hire the German coach in the first place (Goal).

Werner’s recent performance in has shown positive signs having made the difference in the win over Sheffield United despite the lack of goals.

Havertz, on the other hand, has made just one start so far (v Wolves) before a small injury forced him out of the squad in the last two games.

But with the likes of Mason Mount and Timo Werner performing really well in the two attacking midfield roles, Havertz may have a hard time getting back into the starting line-up.

And fellow German international Rudiger has sent a clear message to Havertz.

“First of all, Kai should get over his [injury], then it could soon work,” he told Sky Germany.

“[But] the manager ultimately decides. We’ll see when it happens then. But it would be nice [to have the three Germans in the line-up].

“He [Tuchel] will do everything in his power [to help Havertz and Werner].

“But at the end of the day, the guys have to be there for themselves on the pitch.”

Rudiger also highlighted how difficult it might be for Werner and Havertz to live abroad for the first time.

“This is new territory for them and my job is to help them,” he added.

“I encourage them and I am just there for them. But at the end of the day they have to do their own work in the field.”

Chronicle view

The 21-year-old has been quite unlucky with the injury and the Covid-19 that has hindered his progress at Stamford Bridge.

But unless Tuchel changes the system, it will be very difficult for Havertz to consistently feature in the line-up given the competition.

In-form duo Mount and Werner aside, the likes of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are also eyeing those two spots behind the striker in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system.