National player Kai Havertz has had a difficult few weeks. The victory over Borussia Dortmund was first a tremor for the Chelsea striker, then a salvation. And probably also for his badly battered trainer Graham Potter.
At the height of the arc of suspense, Kai Havertz simply switched off the mental cinema. “There was a lot going on in my mind – I was just trying to enjoy the moment,” said Chelsea’s outstanding man about his double shot. “Because I was a bit nervous, to be honest, because I didn’t get my first penalty.” After a few minutes of excitement and checking, his second chance came, Havertz taking the same corner. He met. It was a salvation for the entire club in the middle of the crisis. And that was ultimately it for the national player himself. “The past few weeks have been tough,” he said, “now I’m really happy.”
For context, it must be said that Kai Havertz in London is surrounded by other ultra-expensive, highly gifted people who have not yet formed a team at all. Despite investing 600 million euros over the past eight months, Chelsea are a struggling Premier League side on par with Brentford FC or Crystal Palace, 29 (!) points off the top of the table.
Even Havertz was no glue for this completely heterogeneous mosaic. He didn’t score for six games in the league, his colleague Joao Felix was even asked the day before the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund (2-0) what was the matter with this lanky German. “He’s a wonderful player, a great guy, he never stops working,” said Felix: “And he will score on Tuesday.” That’s how it happened, albeit on the second try. Havertz’s first penalty hit the right post and then back into the field, “oh, no!” he thought, fortunately the BVB pros ran into the penalty area too early. This probably saved his team manager Grahm Potter’s job.
His goal to make it 2-0 – he started the 1-0 with a hoe as by far the best man on the pitch – should put Chelsea back on the right track. “It will help us regain our self-confidence and get a positive feeling again,” said Havertz. “The Champions League is the best trophy you can win. The feeling is incredible and we want that again.” They already had it two years ago – thanks to Havertz. Liberation before the international break can only be good for the national team. The German Football Association (DFB) and national coach Hansi Flick are still waiting for Kai Havertz to reflect his ability to dominate the national team. Turning off the inner cinema would probably help.
