Thomas Tuchel has said that Kai Havertz is fully aware he is expected to score more goals when operating up front for Chelsea but the boss has asked for more patience on the German.
Havertz has scored two Premier League goals this campaign in 11 starts, and when asked whether he should take the weight off Mason Mount’s shoulders, head coach Tuchel said it is not for the lack of effort.
‘He is trying hard. We don’t need to tell him to score more because he is playing as a striker, a half-striker so he is in exactly where all players demand goals from themselves,’ Tuchel said. ‘All players are demanded to score and assist.
‘He is still young and in a process of adapting. He has all the potential and character to be a top player for Chelsea but he is still growing and he is far from being ready. Like I said, he is super young. He is to grow into it. Let’s not be over excited when we have a test tomorrow so who knows.’
Given the amount of injuries within the Chelsea squad, Thiago Silva, who is 37-years-old, has perhaps had to play more than he expected to at the start of the season.
‘He is happy to do so. He plays in a protected role in the middle of a back three so he is not exposed to the maximum intensity of the match,’ the Bavarian said on the Brazilian. ‘That suits him and he is a good fit so still, of course, the problem starts with injuries and covid in the same positions.
‘In the moment, Trevoh [Chalobah] comes back, Andreas [Christensen] is there, [Cesar] Azpilicueta can also play in a back-three so this is not the area where we are too concerned.
‘We have even the personnel to rotate if we think Thiago needs a break. The concern is in central midfield and up front.’
Despite a break in Champions League football for the Blues until February, we will enter another competition when the Club World Cup comes around in the new year.
When pressed on how he will utilise all of his squad in the coming months, Tuchel said: ‘We would never do this [sacrifice a competition]. If we think we need to rest players or give players chance to play, like it is a bit of a tradition in the Carabao Cup, then we will do it.
‘We will prepare the match to win the match. This is the spirit we have to keep ongoing. It is a struggle, of course, but it feels very demanding, and I can assure that.
‘For everybody, the staff and most of all the players. We will push through it and there is no other option. We love to be in these competitions, and we want to arrive in March, April and May in these competitions.’
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