How Kai Havertz Could Fit in at Chelsea if £75m Summer Move Goes Ahead

With 15 goals and eight assists to his name this season, it's easy to see why Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz is one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe.

When the performances are impressive, the interest rolls in. And in Havertz's case, there's an abundance of high profile suitors sitting up and taking notice of a string of superb performances.

Among the list of potential destinations is Chelsea, who - having agreed terms with Timo Werner - could be preparing a double Bundesliga raid, as well as forking out the cash on Leicester's Ben Chilwell.

Yet this is greater than just interest, as we could be looking at a deal being done very soon. Chelsea are said to have prepared a bid worth £75m for Havertz, instantly making him their most expensive signing ever, while other reports claim that he's now a primary target.

But where would Havertz fit into Frank Lampard’s side?

One of his strongest traits is his versatility, something the Blues could utilise to great effect. This season alone, Havertz has played as an attacking midfielder, right winger and a centre forward for Bayer – a valuable skill for a player as young as 21.

Where he would play for Chelsea would depend on the options available, Lampard’s chosen formation and whether he wants to spend the money.

55% of Havertz’s Bayer appearances have been from attacking midfield, when Bayer boss Peter Bosz chooses to play a 4-2-3-1 formation. That’s one of the key similarities and potential motives for moving to Chelsea, with Lampard a fan of that setup throughout the season.

Havertz could retain that position at Stamford Bridge, with the 4-2-3-1 shape Lampard’s most likely formation going forward. It is where the German is most comfortable and most experienced, but the competition is tough. Mason Mount has already excelled there, while Hakim Ziyech has been added as another talented option.

It would mean ousting one of Chelsea’s most exciting young talents or their latest top class signing, a bittersweet dilemma for Lampard. While that is Havertz’s preference, it is unlikely he would play there.

Havertz has five goal contributions from midfield, but he has been most clinical when playing as a striker. He has scored seven goals in seven games when playing as Bayer's centre forward, his average of a goal per game far superior to the same figure in midfield (0.14 goals per game) and on the right wing (0.5 goals per game).

Putting Havertz as the main striker seems a no brainer. It is where he performs best and where he is in-form, with his recent run of six goals in five games coming from his position up front.

But, again, it’s not that simple.

Havertz isn’t the only Bundesliga star likely to be on his way to Chelsea. Timo Werner is likely to complete a move from RB Leipzig - with the deal to take him to west London all but complete - and it turns out that he's pretty handy in front of goal; he's second only to Robert Lewandowski in Germany's goalscoring department.

The same 'where would he fit in' dilemma applies to Werner. He is most suited and dangerous as an out-and-out striker - scoring the majority of his goals up front - but would face competition for a regular starting berth from Tammy Abraham, who has scored 15 goals of his own this season.

To accommodate Werner, he may have to play as an inside forward, left or right, taking away a potential position that Havertz could play in.

Sure, having them all on board would be a huge luxury - but what would have been the point of blooding 22-year-old Abraham for the past year if the plan was then to discount him or rotate him with players who arguably have more all-around talent?

The solution could be on the right hand side. Havertz has been outstanding when playing on the wing, with ten goal contributions in ten appearances when playing there this season. That seems like the perfect place for the German, coupled with the fact that Pedro and Willian - who are 32 and 31 respectively - are heading for pastures new when their contracts expire this summer.

Havertz could be the heir to their right wing throne - providing Ziyech operates in a more central role - where he could breath fresh air impetus into how Chelsea play.

To that end, Havertz to Chelsea seems like a no-brainer. But when you then remember that Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are on the books, with other young prospects coming through, you start to wonder if it's such a smart move after all.

Signing Havertz would require sacrifices - both in terms of playing personnel and potentially financially - and may well be the biggest decision that Lampard and the board have to make this summer.

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