Thomas Tuchel likens Chelsea star Kai Havertz to Arsenal and Man Utd heroes

Thomas Tuchel admits he sees shades of a number of heroic Premier League forwards in Chelsea star Kai Havertz.

The Germany international was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, and has gone to score a number of crucial goals for the Blues across his career at Stamford Bridge.

Havertz netted the winner in last season’s Champions League final against Manchester City to secure the trophy for the club for a second time.

The 22-year-old has been deployed in a multitude of positions under Tuchel, operating as a false nine most recently.

Blues boss Tuchel compared Havertz, in terms of his style, to Bergkamp, Van Persie and Berbatov.

‘I see a bit of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin Van Persie, [Dimitar] Berbatov kind of player,’ Tuchel told Premier League Productions.

‘He can play in the half position because he has good runs, but also feels free from the nine and creates overload to one side.

‘When I watched him at Leverkusen, I didn’t know that I would coach him, when I watched him at Paris [Saint-Germain], they made him play as a nine which was very interesting.

‘I remember when I watched a cup final against Bayern [Munich] with my staff and said, “This could be a good role for him”.’

Havertz will have the opportunity to make another vital contribution when Chelsea take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend.

The Blues travel to Wembley knowing a victory will secure a place in the showpiece.

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