Gary Lineker has now issued his verdict on Arsenal signing Kai Havertz and how Mikel Arteta will use the German at Emirates Stadium after his recent transfer from Chelsea.
The 24-year-old kicked off the Gunners’ spending this summer after leaving west London for north. Havertz agreed to join Arsenal with a five-year contract on June 28 in a deal worth up to £67.5m. He left Stamford Bridge for an initial £62.5m after just three years with the Blues.
Chelsea elected to strengthen their capital rival over letting Havertz enter the final two years of his contract with them. His transfer to Emirates Stadium also allowed the Blues to recoup most of the £72m, rising to £90m, that they paid Bayer Leverkusen back in September 2020.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arsenal bet on Arteta helping Havertz rediscover his best form
Chelsea spent a lot to sign Havertz for then-manager Frank Lampard as he lit the Bundesliga alight after breaking through. The 37-cap Germany international left Bayer Leverkusen after scoring 36 and assisting 25 goals in 118 games. He hit double-digits in his last two seasons.
But Havertz has never delivered to the same levels in the Premier League. He scored 19 and assisted 10 goals in 91 top-flight fixtures for Chelsea. Managers further only started Havertz in 70 of a potential 102 matches. While his role regularly changed like the coach at the helm.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Arsenal will hope Arteta can help Havertz rediscover the prolific threat he posed with Bayer Leverkusen. The Werkself product excelled as a marauding midfielder at the BayArena with his runs into the box. He has so far held a similar role for the Gunners over their pre-season.
What has Lineker said about Arsenal signing Havertz from Chelsea?
A transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal for Havertz has left Lineker fascinated to see how Arteta will utilise his talent. The England hero does not believe the Blues ever truly got the best of his abilities at Stamford Bridge. But Havertz has a lot of questions to answer at the Emirates.
“I’m intrigued to see where Kai Havertz fits in because he is a wonderful talent,” Lineker has told The Sun. “Despite scoring Chelsea’s winner in the 2021 Champions League final, I don’t think we’ve seen the best of the German yet.
“He looks to me like his best position might be as a No 10. But Arsenal have the excellent Martin Odegaard there already. Havertz may start the season at centre-forward as Gabriel Jesus is injured.
“But he could also operate wide on the left or right or in a deeper role. He certainly adds depth and I’d expect Arsenal to add to their squad even further before the deadline.”