Is Kai Havertz worth the money for Arsenal? That’s the question on the minds of many Gunners fans as they pursue the German midfielder. However, former Chelsea defender and pundit Jason Cundy has warned that the jury is still out on Havertz, despite his winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final. Cundy likened Havertz to Mesut Ozil, with a languid playing style and a tendency to go missing in games. He also questioned where Havertz would fit into Arsenal’s team, given the success of Martin Odegaard as their creative commander-in-chief.
The Curious Case of Kai Havertz
Havertz arrived at Chelsea in 2020 for a whopping £75 million from Bayer Leverkusen. While he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final, he has failed to deliver consistently for the Blues. Chelsea are open to selling him, but they want more than the £50 million offered by Arsenal, which was rejected on Friday evening. Bayern Munich have also joined the race for Havertz.
Cundy has covered almost every game Havertz has played for Chelsea and has seen glimpses of his ability, but not enough to justify his price tag. He believes that Havertz lacks heart, steel, and fight, which makes him unsuitable for a battle. Cundy also compared Havertz to Ozil, who was one of the best creative talents in the Premier League but was a source of great frustration for Arsenal supporters over the years.
The Havertz Dilemma for Arsenal
The main question on Arsenal fans’ minds is where Havertz would fit into their team. Odegaard has been an inspirational leader at Arsenal, and fans do not want to see his role compromised by their summer recruitment. Cundy believes that Arteta may see Havertz as another star-in-the-making similar to Odegaard, with the boss helping to unlock the German’s full potential.
However, Cundy admits that there is still a major question mark over Havertz’s best position and whether a move to the Emirates Stadium would actually work. He believes that Havertz is a No.10, but the system has to suit him, as opposed to him fitting into a system that’s already there and works. Arsenal played 4-3-3 last year, and it’s unclear where Havertz would fit in that formation. If Arsenal sign him, Arteta would have to change the system.
Can Arteta Turn Havertz into a Star?
Cundy believes that Arteta may be looking at Havertz and thinking that Chelsea let him down, and he can get something out of him. He cited Odegaard as an example of a player who has been transformed under Arteta’s guidance. Nobody saw Odegaard becoming one of the best creative midfielders in the country two years ago, but Arteta has turned him into one.
Perhaps Arteta can do the same with Havertz. However, it remains to be seen whether Havertz is worth the money for Arsenal. The jury is still out on him, and he has a lot to prove. A move to Arsenal could give him a new lease of life, but it could also be a gamble for the Gunners.