Chelsea Boss Tuchel Explains Starting Havertz Over Lukaku

The former Bayer Leverkusen man has become a favourite of his manager in recent weeks.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has explained his reliance on Kai Havertz over Romelu Lukaku in a detailed statement on the unique qualities Havertz offers.

Havertz has started four of the Blues' past five matches while Lukaku has received just two nods over that timeframe.

On Saturday, Havertz scored two goals in a 4-0 win over Burnley. Lukaku did not appear in the game.

What has been said?

“Of course [it's hard to leave out Havertz],” Tuchel said to reporters. “He gives a lot of intensity and he’s involved in goals. 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 Werner was very strong and was very close to starting. Romelu got his goal and we will need everybody. But at this moment, [Havertz is] in really good shape.

“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."