11 minutes ago, ducavis said:

I don’t think Felix is an option as Atletico will demand a €120m fee. Personally wouldn’t touch him at anything over £50m, and I don’t see where he fits. He isn’t a winger, and we have already signed Murdyk for a large fee at LW where he could potentially operate, at 10 we already have Nkunku & Mount, and he can’t operate as a sole 9. Even if Pulisic leaves, we are better off buying a LW who is more dynamic and offers us variety to what Murdyk offers.

Let's give him until the end of the season, I suspect with the hefty loan fee and the wages Athleti will give us some sort of a discount. The transfer then I would suspect would be amortised over 5 years (no more 7 year contracts with the transfer split over that duration by time we reach the summer window). 

In terms of position, he's quicker than you might be giving him credit for, he can play LW very effectively it's where he played in the world cup. RW no problem, SS, CF and in attack mid. He's basically a Kai, who is excellent at dribbling in tight spaces will take on a player and beat them for pace or with a skill. Most importantly he's not afraid to shoot, has an eye for goal and with his time under Diego Simeone he knows how to work for the team. I want him to sign and I think it would be around €80m max personally. Like I said though let's wait and see maybe we won't want him by the summer.

There's always the chance that more players leave and we'll need him. Let's be honest aside from Sterling and Nkunku we won't have any other "top tier" attackers (Mudyrk can definitely become one and maybe Madueke too but the latter in particular is very raw as previously mentioned). I think it would be a mistake to see Felix go to any of our rivals at 23 he's probably ready to take that step up in consistency and really live up to the early hype from Benfica days. Not to mention he's another league winner which can only help the squad in experience.

3 hours ago, LongtimerLurker said:

https://breakingthelines.com/opinion/kai-havertz-a-prospect-at-a-crossroads/

Some fans seem to understand this, others just don't get Kai Havertz as a player. This article sums him up pretty well. It's no surprise Kai looks more effective when he plays false 9, but there's a primary goalscorer playing either on the wing or alongside him. 

Or more importantly when there's an out and out striker and Kai can play in the number 10 hole. When he isn't the centre of attention he can ghost into the box to try and score goals. If you watch when he's the striker he still gets a few chances per game. Now if we played with an actual striker then that would be at least two players getting a few goal scoring chances per game since Kai will have more space and freedom to make runs into the box undetected. 

Basically he needs to not be the main goal threat in the team, ironically when he's not the main goal threat he could potentially be the main goal threat if that makes sense. His goal in the ucl final sums it up. When the defenders are focused on the primary striker, it allows Kai to attack the space vacated. He understands this very well, hence why when he plays up top he readily vacates this same space for other players around him. The problem then lies in the fact that he is the player that should be exploiting that same space. 

Nkunku plays pretty much the same position, however he's more of a dynamic player. Whilst Nkunku is an attacking mid he's evolving into a sort of striker support. It would be a mistake to play Nkunku up top because then he loses part of what makes him effective.

I want Felix to sign permanently, but Kai, Felix and Nkunku would effectively be operating in the same areas. It is difficult to play all three at the same time unless its a 4231 with losts of positional rotation. 

Seems Pulisic and Ziyech will be gone in the summer. Madueke looks decent, but isn't good enough to be a direct replacement just yet. He still very raw therefore, seems imperative we sing Felix so he's an elite wing option alongside Sterling and Mudyrk (too early to call him elite,  but he looks the real deal). That would give us 4 wingers and with Nkunku and Kai primarily operating in the number 10 position (Felix could rotate there too and you could have Nkunku on the right or left) your attacking support players are set. However to see all of these players flourish a world class number 9 is needed. He unlocks Kai, but also the rest of the team.

I think a switch to a 4231 next season and really for the rest of this season unlocks a lot of the players. The 433 that GP wants to play reminds me a bit of Lamps one, the Mount and Gallagher duo in midfield I hope is only because of necessity because that doesn't work its the same as Mount and Kai in a midfield 3. Enzo/Kova/Kante/Zak and one other CM is the ideal lineup for next season. Mount and Gallagher can play as number 10s or rotate one of the wing positions since Mount can 100% play left or right in a 4231 I would expect Conor to be able to do the same.

Essentially Nkunku and Havertz are the same profile. Maybe that's a sign that Kai will be sold.

3 hours ago, LongtimerLurker said:

https://breakingthelines.com/opinion/kai-havertz-a-prospect-at-a-crossroads/

Some fans seem to understand this, others just don't get Kai Havertz as a player. This article sums him up pretty well. It's no surprise Kai looks more effective when he plays false 9, but there's a primary goalscorer playing either on the wing or alongside him. 

Or more importantly when there's an out and out striker and Kai can play in the number 10 hole. When he isn't the centre of attention he can ghost into the box to try and score goals. If you watch when he's the striker he still gets a few chances per game. Now if we played with an actual striker then that would be at least two players getting a few goal scoring chances per game since Kai will have more space and freedom to make runs into the box undetected. 

Basically he needs to not be the main goal threat in the team, ironically when he's not the main goal threat he could potentially be the main goal threat if that makes sense. His goal in the ucl final sums it up. When the defenders are focused on the primary striker, it allows Kai to attack the space vacated. He understands this very well, hence why when he plays up top he readily vacates this same space for other players around him. The problem then lies in the fact that he is the player that should be exploiting that same space. 

Nkunku plays pretty much the same position, however he's more of a dynamic player. Whilst Nkunku is an attacking mid he's evolving into a sort of striker support. It would be a mistake to play Nkunku up top because then he loses part of what makes him effective.

I want Felix to sign permanently, but Kai, Felix and Nkunku would effectively be operating in the same areas. It is difficult to play all three at the same time unless its a 4231 with losts of positional rotation. 

Seems Pulisic and Ziyech will be gone in the summer. Madueke looks decent, but isn't good enough to be a direct replacement just yet. He still very raw therefore, seems imperative we sing Felix so he's an elite wing option alongside Sterling and Mudyrk (too early to call him elite,  but he looks the real deal). That would give us 4 wingers and with Nkunku and Kai primarily operating in the number 10 position (Felix could rotate there too and you could have Nkunku on the right or left) your attacking support players are set. However to see all of these players flourish a world class number 9 is needed. He unlocks Kai, but also the rest of the team.

I think a switch to a 4231 next season and really for the rest of this season unlocks a lot of the players. The 433 that GP wants to play reminds me a bit of Lamps one, the Mount and Gallagher duo in midfield I hope is only because of necessity because that doesn't work its the same as Mount and Kai in a midfield 3. Enzo/Kova/Kante/Zak and one other CM is the ideal lineup for next season. Mount and Gallagher can play as number 10s or rotate one of the wing positions since Mount can 100% play left or right in a 4231 I would expect Conor to be able to do the same.

I read just the end of that article but if what is written in that article is true then selling Kai is the best option

He basically said the less Kai touch the ball the better he will play. If we want such player, then we may as well keep timo. The idea with Kai is to have a player who can do everything not just one thing. 

I feel like a broken record coming here after every game and saying he is not good enough to lead the line. He's not clinical enough and makes some bad choices int the final third. At this point, I honestly wouldn't mind bringing Auba back into the first 11, there's no way he can do worse than Havertz with all the new attacking talent behind him

I think there's a good player in there that's buried under all kinds of nonsense coaching. The vids I saw before I joined showed a much more wild instinctual player that thrives on space. 

What he is right now, is so underwhelming

Silver lining is Vivell and Boehly watching almost every match. 

Potter may annoyingly rate him, but a 70m attacking player who's best attribute is being off the ball won't convince the people now running this club.

 

4 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Silver lining is Vivell and Boehly watching almost every match. 

Potter may annoyingly rate him, but a 70m attacking player who's best attribute is being off the ball won't convince the people now running this club.

 

Always hate when people use this attribute to praise him and defend him. We need an attacker to score goals not be off the ball.

Kai Havertz (Chelsea)

If Chelsea are still looking for a number nine, I think they might have found him if they are bold enough. Kai Havertz is starting to find himself in top-flight football.

With two goals for Germany against England recently, he's also starting to find the back of the net in his Chelsea colours as well. Havertz looks altogether much more composed around the goal these days.

So too is Armando Broja. The Albania forward looks particularly comfortable at Stamford Bridge these days and I wonder if Graham Potter would consider playing them as a pair. It would certainly give teams something to think about. Perhaps even Manchester City.

Garth (Tozzer) Crooks Team of the week 10 October 2022 😁

On 11/02/2023 at 15:18, Deino said:

I think there's a good player in there that's buried under all kinds of nonsense coaching. The vids I saw before I joined showed a much more wild instinctual player that thrives on space. 

What he is right now, is so underwhelming

That good player hasn't had a single back to back game with a minimum 8 out of 10 rating and best player on the pitch. There literally is no hope. The slump he's on is infinite as that is his ability.

Bump. Invisible yet again. I want to cry.

Now correct me if I am wrong on this but was not a large stick to block Lukakus entry to the buffet that we don't need a striker, we have Kai Havertz he won us the CL?

Now we know Lukaku was the wrong striker but how are the many on here feeling about Kai as the false 9/playmaker now? Several championed him for this right? Was it really Timo that made him?

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Now correct me if I am wrong on this but was not a large stick to block Lukakus entry to the buffet that we don't need a striker, we have Kai Havertz he won us the CL?

Now we know Lukaku was the wrong striker but how are the many on here feeling about Kai as the false 9/playmaker now? Several championed him for this right? Was it really Timo that made him?

I was one that was keen for Havertz to have a regular run as our number 9. Towards the back end of last season I think he scored 6 or 7 in 10 starts which gave me reason to believe he could do a job there. That being said I'm willing to give up the ghost on him as the number 9. He is massively inconsistent and not producing anything of note at the moment.

There is a player in there but he is so often inconsistent and ineffective it's difficult to rely on him to lead the line. I think he can still be an asset in one of the 3 positions behind the striker but it's clear now he's not good enough to be the main man. 

Nah, it’s time to cut our losses and get rid of him. He’s holding us back massively.

29 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Now correct me if I am wrong on this but was not a large stick to block Lukakus entry to the buffet that we don't need a striker, we have Kai Havertz he won us the CL?

Now we know Lukaku was the wrong striker but how are the many on here feeling about Kai as the false 9/playmaker now? Several championed him for this right? Was it really Timo that made him?

He's been hiding behind the criticism of Werner and Lukaku for the last couple of years while also riding on the wave of his CL goal. Now that those two strikers are gone and the CL final is a couple of years old, his true colours are showing and there aren't that many excuses to defend him anymore. 

I keep hoping to see this thread title change to Kai Havertz going from Chelsea.

42 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Now correct me if I am wrong on this but was not a large stick to block Lukakus entry to the buffet that we don't need a striker, we have Kai Havertz he won us the CL?

Now we know Lukaku was the wrong striker but how are the many on here feeling about Kai as the false 9/playmaker now? Several championed him for this right? Was it really Timo that made him?

For me it was I would prefer to play Havertz there because anybody would be better than Lukaku. I stand by that. 

Havertz isn't the answer though and never will be. Doesn't have those instincts to take up the positions a striker will take and he's just too soft.

I think his general play as a striker and a foil for Felix was pretty good. I think since he has played in this role consistently after the world cup, he has played it pretty well. 

However he doesnt score enough goals, and he doesnt make enough big opportunities for his teammates. 

I like him as a player, I like the physicality he has developed in his game, but when the team is struggling to score, you look at striker, and Havertz doesnt do it regularly.

Honestly what does he offer?

He can’t play a ball forward, he always ruins an attack, every time it looked like a quick counter attack was on, he’d hold onto the ball and pass it back. He can’t hold off defenders, he can’t even beat a man, he can’t score simple goals, he can’t head very well, even Lukaku can create play better than him, he’s completely useless. 

Makes good runs. That’s it. 
 

Terrible in tight areas. 
Slow in possession. 
Can’t beat a man. 
Can’t finish. 
 

I’m just a broken record now. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Makes good runs. That’s it. 
 

Terrible in tight areas. 
Slow in possession. 
Can’t beat a man. 
Can’t finish. 
 

I’m just a broken record now. 

50/60M and he can go back to germany 

Honestly Kai is so, so bad at leading the line I honestly would rather have Romelu Lusulku back up front.

A donkey or a giraffe. 

Slim pickings. 

I accept it's got to the better for both parties to move on point now especially with Felix here and Nkunku coming but I will always stand by we should have tried to build on the Porto momentum with Havertz up top instead of signing Lukaku (as it was pretty much either/or at that point due to slim pickings in the market).

1 minute ago, Argo said:

I accept it's got to the better for both parties to move on point now especially with Felix here and Nkunku coming but I will always stand by we should have tried to build on the Porto momentum with Havertz up top instead of signing Lukaku (as it was pretty much either/or at that point due to slim pickings in the market).

He also still had Timo to do the... donkey work (pun intended).... for him as well. Timo made Kai a much better player.

19 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

A donkey or a giraffe. 

Slim pickings. 

I would take the donkey, not because he is any good in our shirt, but because Havertz is somehow more useless.