Tuchel has no doubts over Havertz: ´He will have a big impact at Chelsea´

Thomas Tuchel is confident Chelsea will get to see the best of the “incredibly talented” Kai Havertz but warned there is no quick fix to help him reach his full potential. 

Havertz was a big-money signing by the Premier League club prior to the start of the season, having starred in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen in recent years. 

However, after a solid beginning to his career at Stamford Bridge, the 21-year-old has found it tough going in recent months, not aided by contracting coronavirus in November. 

Having scored one goal and set up another in his opening five league games, Havertz has managed just one solitary assist since, creating a total of 13 chances in his 18 appearances, albeit only 12 of those have been starts. 

The Germany international has missed Chelsea’s previous three games through injury and while Monday’s clash with Newcastle United may come too soon, Tuchel is willing to be patient with his compatriot. 

“I’m pretty sure we will see him,” he replied when asked if Chelsea will see the same Havertz who dazzled for Leverkusen.  

“It takes time, there is no short answer – if there was, I’d go and talk to him in that way to bring out his full potential. What we know and can rely on is that all this potential is in him and it’s logical that he can show it on the pitch.  

“For every transfer, for every change of club for the player, it’s different. Sometimes it needs a little more time to adapt, sometimes it can be quick, sometimes it can be between one match and another, sometimes a process.  

“All we can do is push him, support him, give him what he needs. We figure this out with us right now. 

“He had a pretty good start with us, he had good matches, and I have the feeling that I see a guy that is totally clear, totally self-aware, very humble and incredibly talented. There are no doubts that he will show this – the sooner the better. 

“Now, unfortunately, he missed some training sessions and games for us, but hopefully he can come back in the next few days, because I’m absolutely convinced he will have a big impact at this club.”

2 – Barnsley are the first team Chelsea have eliminated from both major domestic cup competitions within a single season since Manchester United in 2012-13, and the first from a lower division since Bolton Wanderers in 1971-72. Repeat. pic.twitter.com/vh5QCNkXtN

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 11, 2021

Tuchel appreciates he is not short of options within his squad, particularly in midfield where Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are seemingly vying for two positions. There is also Billy Gilmour too, showing the strength in depth at Chelsea.

The former Paris Saint-Germain coach is pleased with the competition for places and understands he will have to manage expectations when it comes to first-team minutes.

“If we have difficult decisions to make, everything is good as we have a full squad available,” Tuchel said.

“If I have a difficult decision to make, it’s my job to manage them. It’s my job to trust also the guy from the bench. Is it possible to achieve our goal with 12, 13, 14 players? No, it’s simply not possible. 

“To have the three guys is a big gift for me for the two positions. To have a fourth guy like Billy Gilmour is absolutely necessary on this kind of level we expect from us, what the supporters also expect from the team. 

“We need exactly this kind of quality and I’m not worried about the management, because I feel a group that is strong, I feel a bond between the players.

“Yes, we will have to prove it when things become a bit difficult, a bit complicated. But, until today, I feel a very good atmosphere, and it’s my job to manage that, to focus on that and create it. 

“They can be competitive with each other but we need to be allies, need to be close and understand this is an effort of the whole team.”

Tuchel confirmed Timo Werner is expected to be back to face Newcastle, while Thiago Silva is targeting a return to action against Southampton on February 20.

The game will mark a first for the Chelsea boss, who has never previously managed a top-flight match on a Monday. His last match in any competition on that day was back in August 2016, when he led Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 win in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.