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Joe Cole compares ‘outstanding’ Kai Havertz to Chelsea legend Eidur Gudjohnsen


Havertz got back among the goals against Malmo (Picture: Getty Images)

Joe Cole says Kai Havertz reminds him of Chelsea legend Eidur Gudjohnson given his ability to play as a striker and in midfield.

Havertz arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020 with a burgeoning reputation given his fine performances for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

Deployed in a multitude of positions, including centre-forward and No.10, the Germany international netted an impressive 18 goals across all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign.

Gudjohnsen was a heroic figure for the Blues (Picture: Getty Images)

The Blues snapped him up in deal worth £72million, however, he struggled to acclimatise to the fast nature of England’s top flight initially.

Havertz improved towards the end of last season and memorably scored the winner in the Champions League final against Manchester City to earn the Blues a second title.

This season, the 22-year-old has struggled for playing time, but got his chance in an advanced role when Romelu Lukaku was forced off in the 4-0 victory over Malmo in midweek.

Havertz scored after coming on in that game and is likely to get more opportunities to impress with both Lukaku and Timo Werner set for a spell on the sidelines.

Chelsea hero Cole sees similarities between the attacker and his former Blues teammate Gudjohnsen, who was a forward by trade but could be utilised in midfield.

‘Outstanding player and I love him in this position [up front],’ Cole told BT Sport before Chelsea’s clash against Norwich.

‘It’s interesting Thomas Tuchel says he doesn’t see him as a false nine, he sees him as a nine. He played his best stuff in Germany in that role, it frees him up.

‘He’s what I like to call a penalty box player where he comes alive, he gets more space there. He makes clever runs.

‘With Kai Havertz he reminds me a lot of Eidur, when he played here he could play that role as a nine but also play in midfield.

‘I think he’s going to relish the next five or six games where he’ll look at those and think there’s goal in there for me.’


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