Thomas Tuchel reveals thoughts on Kai Havertz display during Everton win

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on forward Kai Havertz after he put on his best performance of the season in Monday's 2-0 win over Everton.

After joining from Bayer Leverkusen in a £71m deal last summer, Havertz has struggled to live up to the hype thus far - with illness, injuries and a lack of form all playing a part in that. But he looked rejuvenated playing in a more-advanced role against the high-flying Toffees.

Deployed as a false-nine, Havertz tormented Everton's backline and ended up walking away with two assists as he caused the opening own goal and then won the penalty for the second. Unsurprisingly, Tuchel was delighted to see the club's top asset shining.

"I was very pleased with Kai," Tuchel said (via the club's official website). "We showed a lot of trust in him and he used his opportunity tonight very well. He fulfilled his role, was very fluid and put in an excellent performance.

"He is a guy that has all the qualities and all the talents to be a dominant figure in the offence. He stepped up and was involved in a lot of dangerous attacking situations for us. I’m very happy with him and that he could show a performance like he did tonight, which I think highlights what he can bring to this team.

"There is no doubt about his quality, his talent and also his character. He needs to adapt to the Premier League and a new club where you play to win every game and the highest standards are normal but he did that excellently today."

Havertz also confessed that he was ecstatic about putting in a good performance for Chelsea, admitting that he's found things difficult since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

"It was good for me and I gave my best," he said. "The first seven months were not easy for me but you have to keep working and I did that. So I’m very happy, but of course it was my first match after injury. I think it was a good performance from me, but you cannot say this after one performance.

"You have to be strong in the next few matches as well and that’s my goal. I will try to improve, I will try to give my best in the next few weeks and then I hope it will continue like that.

"I played like a false nine, I had the freedom to go everywhere I wanted to go, and I think that’s good for me. I like to have freedom on the pitch. I think I was lucky to score a goal but I’m very happy with the performance, not only from me but the whole group. I think we can do a lot better than today, but the result was a win so of course we’re very happy with it."

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