HONEST
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has given an honest assessment of Kai Havertz's current form.
The young German star finished his debut season at Chelsea by etching his name into the club's history with the winning goal in their Champions League final triumph over Man City.
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Early signs in 2020/21 suggested Havertz would carry this form into the new campaign and his beautiful headed goal at Anfield encouraged this theory.
However, he has since hit a rough patch.
Tuchel insisted they will support the young German star through his current lacklustre period, but did not refrain from being honest about the situation.
Asked about Havertz not currently playing at his best level, Tuchel said: "That’s a fact.
"He does everything to reach his level again and we will do everything to help him.
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"He is an important player for our squad and it will be like this at the moment.
"He had many games to start with, he started strong in the season. He was very strong in pre-season. The story has not changed.
"But he lacks, as simple as that, the statistics of decisive things, of goals and assists and he needs to fight his way back into the team.
"And he gets minutes and this can happen anytime.
"We trust in him and we believe in him and the rest has to come from him and he’s willing to do so.
"He’s in good shape and a good mental state. He knows what he’s fighting for and that’s the situation right now."