Arsenal Update: Ex-Gunner Blasts Chelsea Star, Compares Him To Mesut Ozil

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson weighed in on Kai Havertz’s debut season with Chelsea and how his attitude resembles that of Gunners star Mesut Ozil.

In one of his latest columns on Daily Star, Merson criticized Havertz for not living up to the hype of his arrival at Stamford Bridge. According to the pundit, the former Bundesliga star has shown shades of Arsenal’s Ozil and lacks the eagerness to help his team when the going gets tough.

“Kai Havertz looks like Mesut Ozil at the moment,” Merson wrote. “A major talent, but when he loses the ball, he doesn’t try to win it back. Ozil used to get major stick because he didn’t always seem interested. But Havertz looks like that sometimes now as well.”

“He [Havertz] looks like he’s out of his depth or doesn’t really want to be here,” he added. “But you have to remember this is a young player who’s come to a different country.”

During his illustrious four seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, Havertz tallied a total of 36 goals to his name. However, in his first season with Chelsea, the 21-year-old has only scored once in 11 appearances.

Merson speculated that Havertz hasn’t adjusted yet to the English Premier League and strongly suggested that Blues manager Frank Lampard sit him out for a couple of games.

“I think he’s struggling at the moment and he needs to come off the bench for a few games against tiring teams, get his confidence back,” the ex-Gunner pointed out. “Chelsea actually looked better without him. I don’t know why Frank Lampard threw him right back into the team because his confidence looks shot.”

“For me he’s a number ten (attacking midfielder) and would work best slipping balls through for Timo Werner, who looks lost on the wing,” he added. “He will come good in time.”

Lampard, on the other hand, remains confident his star signing will soon reach his peak with Chelsea. For the Blues boss, the media may be all over Havertz because of the money splurged on his transfer, but he believes everything is fine at the moment.

“Kai [Havertz] came in without any form of pre-season, just started to play really well early in the season and gets Covid, and now comes back and all eyes are on him because of the price tag,” Lampard explained. “But I think we must have huge perspective here.”

“Some of the greatest players the Premier League has seen have taken time to succeed in the Premier League,” he continued. “I’m not saying it will take a long time for Kai, but I think we have to give him a bit of time to settle in on and off the pitch, and that’s what’s happening. I’m very happy with him, I’ve got no problem with him, but for Chelsea fans and for us we must give him time.”