Why I prefer starting Kai Havertz ahead of Lukaku – Tuchel finally reveals
As we all know Thomas Tuchel has opted for Kai Havertz ahead of Romelu Lukaku since the Belgium international had just seven touches of the ball against Crystal Palace.
However, The only game Lukaku has started since then is the FA Cup game against Luton Town.
Tuchel admits Kai Havertz is close to undroppable on current form after two goals in four minutes helped sink Burnley in a 4-0 win for Chelsea on Saturday.
Tuchel also revealed the qualities Havertz offers to the Chelsea team as a no.9.
“He gives a lot of intensity and he’s involved in goals,” Tuchel said of Havertz. “He scored again, so it’s a very good moment and it’s on him to keep going. This is how it is.
“We played the last cup match without him, Timo was very strong and was very close to starting (on Saturday). Romelu got his goal and we will need everybody, but, at this moment, he’s in really good shape.”
Tuchel added of the Germany international: “What he gives us is huge volume.”
“He covers a lot of metres, he covers a lot of metres in high intensity, so he finds the intensity no matter what the system the opponent defends against us, he finds intensive runs, he finds distances. This is what makes him and he uses his body more and more.
“He loves to create overloads and half spaces and this is what he gives. It’s just his style of play, his characteristic as a player. He’s in good shape, he’s confident.”