Might be an unpopular opinion. But I really think people are unfair with Havertz.

He was super good in Germany. Then he joined Chelsea, and they played him as a lone striker, which is neither his position, not a position best suited to his qualities and style of play.
Then Arsenal buys him, to play him… central mid. Which is definitely not his position.

Havertz is a right winger. He can play as a (very) offiensive mid. But he is NOT a lone striker, and he is NOT a central mid in a 433. Now the problem is, he wil have lost his confidence. Like Werner, who can not find it back, even being back in a very favorable context. When confidence goes, you never know if it will come back.

I’m not saying it’s impossible to be good in those conditions. But he gets way too much heat considering all that. I don’t see Bellingham playing right back or Kane playing left winger. Clubs should buy players to play at their right position. As soon as Arsenal bought him, it was said they wanted him to play CM. That makes no sense. And maybe he’ll be a good CM one day. But you can’t expect someone to learn a completely new position in so little time while playing against Premier League teams. You will get exposed in those conditions.

If english clubs were more caring about the players they buy and how to play them, there wouldn’t be so many failures on the transfers.

  • Bballopinion@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    He scored 15 goals and 4 assists in 64 Premier League games in the last 2 seasons with Chelsea as a striker/CF. In his first 10 games with Arsenal, he has 1 goal and 1 assist as a midfielder.

    I’m sorry to break it to you, but he lacks end product, and his production doesn’t justify treating his as a key player on the team. He’ll be completely benched in the next few weeks or loaned off in January.

    • greenfrogwallet@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      Stick to basketball and FIFA if you genuinely think he’ll be “completely benched” or loaned in January. At minimum he will be an important player off the bench. His height and ability to win balls in the air alone adds a unique element to the team and off the bench if he starts there.

      He literally just started the last game and played well.

      Call him shit if you want but at least get the fact rights and don’t make ludicrous claims like saying he will be loaned out.

    • i_like_cakess@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      He’s Pepe 2.0. He’ll sit on bench at least until July, probably next year too because we’re short in CF and mid positions. He’ll be the most expensive bench warmer in club history. Maybe in 2 years we’ll loan him out or terminate his contract, I doubt anyone will buy him if they’ll have to match his 250k/pw wages.

      Why we got in this mess in the first place I don’t know. Everyone and their cousin were saying he’ll be a flop from the first day the rumours linking him to us broke out. I hope Arteta learns from this £100m (transfer fee + wages) mistake

    • HotAir25@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      He ran the most distance of any player in his opening games for Arsenal, it’s just the way he moves that gives the impression he’s not working hard. He does appear to lack confidence.

  • FearlessPeanut9076@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    He’s more of a utility player, which makes him a good bench player. The blame is on him as well, if he wanted to play RW why join arsenal? You know they are never going to replace Saka with him, why would you?

  • Fontana1017@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    He had one great year and one good year in Germany. He’s probably just not as good as people thought he’d be

  • lordlazythelast@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    Havertz is a fantastically skilled player who suffers from not having a “best position”. At Leverkusen, he played on the wing, as a 10 or second striker and eventually was given quite a free role once he was established in the team. So now, he’s not really suited to any one particular position and will likely only thrive if a team is built around him.

    Werner had a slightly different problem, in that he had too specific a position at Leipzig to thrive elsewhere. He was partnered by Yusuf Poulsen in a quite unique high pressing 4-2-2-2 system which perfectly suited his skillset.

  • DerGutterSnipen@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    It’s becoming more and more apparent that the German league… is not very good.

    So many players come to England and fail. Harry Kane goes to Germany and starts tearing it up. So much for Lewa being a ‘generational talent’