Paul Merson feared Kai Havertz would be axed by Thomas Tuchel for the next Chelsea game against Leeds United this weekend, writing in his Sky Sports column.
Havertz enjoyed arguably his finest moment in a Chelsea shirt during Monday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.
He glided across the Stamford Bridge pitch in way Blues fans haven’t truly witnessed up until this point.
The £140,000 per-week (Spotrac) talent was perhaps unjustly denied two goals. One by VAR and another chalked down as a Ben Godfrey own goal.
But this won’t have dampened Havertz’s mood, who will be looking to that Everton match as a spring board moment in his Chelsea career.
Merson was highly impressed with the young German’s recent output but worried this wouldn’t be enough to earn a recall from Thomas Tuchel this Saturday.
“They (Chelsea) were a real handful against Everton, and Kai Havertz epitomised that,” said the former Arsenal midfielder.
“We finally saw his best on Monday, he was simply outstanding. I didn’t realise how quick he was!
“He was a real handful and the decision to bring him in last night was rewarded.
“When you are winning every week that’s what happens.
“The problem he has now is Havertz just had his best game for Chelsea by a million miles, but I’d be surprised if he plays next week.
“Mason Mount was outstanding against Liverpool but then he didn’t play against Everton.”
It would seem extremely harsh to drop Havertz after his efforts at home to Everton.
However, it wouldn’t be unlike Tuchel to suddenly knock his house down and build up a new one from scratch.
Mount, Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud, and Thiago Silva all started on Chelsea’s bench for the latest fixture.
These players may feel they should be back in contention for the Leeds clash, as will the likes of Havertz and Kurt Zouma, who handed a rare run out two days ago.
Tuchel has a very healthy headache on his hands and one he’ll enjoy finding a remedy for.
The Chelsea Chronicle View
From my track record of predicted XI’s, I’m in no position to say whether or not Havertz will start on the weekend.
What I do know is that he deserves to.
A player of his caliber, who is probably low on confidence, needs a run in the team to build back what he’s lost.
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