https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
havertz-on-the-pressure-to-get-numbers-and-recapturing-confidence
Havertz on the pressure to get numbers and recapturing confidence
26 AUG 2022
Ahead of this afternoon's visit of Leicester City to Stamford Bridge, Kai
Havertz has been reflecting on the expectations of playing centre-forward
and the importance of rediscovering confidence…
https://i.imgur.com/vRKMlwV.jpg
The German forward has led a fluid attack alongside Mason Mount and Raheem
Sterling in each of our opening three Premier League fixtures this season,
reprising a role he performed at times throughout 2021/22 under the
guidance of his compatriot Thomas Tuchel.
Havertz ended last campaign with 18 goal involvements for the Blues in all
competitions (13 goals and five assists), the second-highest in the squad
behind Mount, but has struggled to make those decisive impacts early on
this season.
In fact, our front three have just one assist between them so far and the
23-year-old accepts those numbers must improve quickly, while also
cautioning that there is more to his game than pure numbers.
'I've played lots of positions and I like to have close connections up
front with players,' he explained this week. 'I know as a number nine it's
also hard to play in England but I think I did it quite well in the last
months. The game against Leeds was not good but I am working hard, I do
the best that I can and try to get better every day.
'It's not easy to always get the consistency as a young player but my goal
for the season is to play consistently on a good level. Nowadays
everything is about scoring goals and making assists. If you don't do it,
you played a bad game and everyone says it but for me football is about
more than goals and assists so I try to show that on the pitch.
https://i.imgur.com/gQJCLlU.jpg
Havertz in action against Tottenham in our last home match
'I know that people criticise you on the numbers if you don't score for
two or three games. I know that and I feel it as well. It's not a good
feeling but when you play there [as striker] you have to score.
'I want to come into the position where I have the confidence to go into a
game and think “yeah today you're going to score” and to have that
confidence again but it only comes through hard work and dedication. I try
to do that every day and the rest comes by itself.'
What has helped Havertz during good times and bad in his two seasons at
Stamford Bridge is the backing of a supportive band of team-mates and
staff. Such spirit and togetherness surprised the young German when he
arrived from Bayer Leverkusen and facilitated an easy transition into a
group he now believes has the perfect blend of maturity and youthful
exuberance.
'It was strange because as a young player when you go to a big club you
always think it's going to be crazy, there will be so many big characters
and it's hard to settle there,' he said. 'But from my first day at Chelsea
I have to say that everyone, the staff and players, were so close and
friendly and really like a big family when you enter the training
facility.
https://i.imgur.com/A7zrJ5P.jpg
Kai is hoping we can bounce back against the Foxes at the Bridge
'Every new player that comes here says the same, that it's such a good
group and there are so many good people in the changing room. It was also
a big advantage for me knowing a lot of players because I've known a lot
of these guys for a long time.
'We have a lot of players in the same generation as me so it was quite
easy and now the changing room is top. We have a lot of players with
experience and some young players so it's perfect.'
After the ultimate high of netting that memorable match winner in Porto,
Havertz has experienced plenty of testing times in his Chelsea career as
well, including a challenging recent period of change throughout the club.
Yet he feels things are looking up once again, despite the disappointment
of last weekend's defeat at Leeds United, and points to the group's strong
desire for continued success as evidence that we will bounce back quickly.
'The last six months were tough for everyone here,' he added. 'There were
a lot of changes but now we have to stay hungry because we are not
finished as a team.
'We have big qualities and we need to show them now. Everyone is hungry
here and that's a good characteristic to be like this.'