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Chelsea need to focus beyond Kai Havertz
Bundesliga English Premier League Football

Kai Havertz can wait, Chelsea’s abysmal defence demands focus

Chelsea need to focus beyond Kai Havertz

Talk surrounding Kai Havertz’s €76m transfer to Chelsea has reached its zenith. At this rate, the coronavirus might soon complain of an inferiority complex. Sure, it is more exciting to discuss and focus on a million-dollar transfer, than the other less-impressive factors in a game of football. However, the sport does have its own ways of drawing focus back to basics, as Chelsea have realised after dropping points on a platter due to an extremely leaky defence.

It is understandable that due to a transfer ban, the targets for Frank Lampard this season were as high as fan expectations, to qualify for the Champions League. Lampard’s cherry-picked youth brigade, along with experienced players like Willian, Azpilicueta, Kante, Giroud exceeded what was expected and maintained a top-five position, throughout the season.

Happy with the present state of affairs, the Chelsea board has gifted Lampard with expensive gifts like the signings of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and a nearly confirmed deal for Kai Havertz.  

Havertz is one of a kind, 189 cm tall but nimble footed. He can create and score a variety of goals. The range of finishing that the wonderkid boasts of in his locker, is insane. The German attacker is a very high IQ player and always seems to make the right decision in the final third.

No matter how topsy-turvy the season went, there seemed to be positive signs of the progress Lampard had made with the given squad. 

However in this wonderful ozone layer, lay a weakness which reared its ugly head lately during the 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United as well as the 5-3 loss against Liverpool. A department that had been the strength in the gone years.

Shockingly, the defence, which boasted stalwarts like John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Branslay Ivanovic, is the reason for worry of fans. The current Chelsea back-line comprises Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma & Fikayo Tomori, who clearly have a big gap to fill, both in terms of legacy and consistency that the alumni seemed to possess.

The defensive lapses along with goalkeeping errors might well cost Chelsea a spot in the Champions League next season, in case they fail to deliver the goods against Wolves, proving extremely costly and humiliating. Considering the grave circumstances, the Blues would be well-served investing in a proper back-line during the transfer window rather than splurging on Kai Havertz who despite being a top player, is not the need of the hour. The Chelsea attack is well sorted with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

However, those in favour of Havertz argue that the German attacker will provide the creativity and inch-perfect passing, missing on an off-day for Mason Mount and in the absence of Cesc Fabregas. Chelsea have been observed to perform badly in counter attacking positions, with Ross Barkley’s main weakness being an inability to complete quick passes effectively. Kai Havertz has an eye for shooting when needed, a trait which Eden Hazard possessed and rewarded Chelsea with great goals. Signing the German wonderkid they believe, will seal the deal in attack for Chelsea.

In all, Havertz will certainly be a worthy addition to the Chelsea squad but the same should be indulged in only when the budget, following quality defensive reinforcements permits the same.

Written By: Pranav Sood.

Image Credits: Getty Images.

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