Kovacic explains Havertz’s Chelsea struggles

The Blues’ most expensive summer signing has struggled to match expectations in his debut campaign so far.

Mateo Kovacic believes Kai Havertz’s need to adapt to English football is the cause of his struggles. With some patience, though, the German will become a ‘huge player for Chelsea and for world football’.

Despite scoring a hat-trick in only his third Blues appearance, which came in a 6-0 EFL Cup win over Barnsley in September, Havertz has only found the back of the net on one other occasion – a 3-3 draw with Southampton on October 17.

The 21-year-old has now gone 13 games, and over two months, without a goal in all competitions.

“I like Kai Havertz a lot,” Blues midfielder Kovacic told the club’s website.

“He is such a talented player. He is a great signing for Chelsea. He will be a huge player for Chelsea and for world football, I’m sure of that.

“He has huge potential. He is such an elegant player. He just needs to learn to play in the Premier League, that’s all. It’s a difficult league with a huge tempo, and he will get used to it. Game by game he is getting better so I have no fear for Kai.”

After making a 16-minute cameo appearance in Chelsea’s Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal, Havertz could return to the lineup in Monday’s match against Aston Villa.