Forget Haaland as Tuchel identifies new no9 striker for Chelsea
Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer.
However, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is confident Kai Havertz can be Chelsea’s main striker after playing the German international in the no9 role against Everton and Leeds United.
Tuchel played Havertz as Chelsea’s no9 at Elland Road, with Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud on the bench, while Tammy Abraham is still injured.
“It was pretty much the same role that he (Havertz) had against Everton,” said Tuchel.
“I think that Kai feels very comfortable in high positions. I feel he is very comfortable to go to drop in to half-spaces from the high position, to turn and drive with the ball and use his speed.
“But he also arrives very naturally in the box and the six-yard box, to finish our attacks.”
Tuchel added: “He’s comfortable in finishing, he’s strong in finishing. He can clearly play as a No 9, he can play as a half-striker or as a winger.
“These are his positions and today we used him as a number nine and I’m happy.
“Unfortunately he could not finish like his finishes in training and like his talents allow him to finish because we had enough chances. It’s a position where he feels comfortable and I trust him in this position.”