Tim Sherwood asserts that Kai Havertz does not contribute significantly to Arsenal both on and off the ball. However, Sherwood acknowledges that the German has a knack for delivering in big games.
Havertz joined Arsenal in the summer, aiming to enhance the team’s options, particularly as a replacement for the impressive Granit Xhaka. Despite the anticipation surrounding the signing, Havertz has faced criticism, with some fans expressing a preference for a player who consistently makes a clear impact on the team.
Sherwood recently discussed Havertz’s performances, recognising his ability to score crucial goals in important matches. Sherwood suggests that this knack for delivering in key moments makes Havertz a luxury player, explaining why he continues to be selected despite his perceived limitations in overall contribution on and off the ball.
He said on Premier League Productions:
“I think Mikel thinks he’s very versatile and flexible. I agree that he is a luxury. He gives you nothing out of possession. He’s a good size, he doesn’t play like he’s good in the air. Wonderful touch, good vision, he’s a big game player, he scored in a Champions League final for Chelsea. He’s anonymous in the game but he pops up with big goals, and I think Mikel is hoping he pops up with big goals in the business end of the season for him.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Havertz has looked more productive in recent weeks, and if he keeps doing well on the pitch, he could be rewarded with a new deal instead of being sold.
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Just remind me how far YOUR management skills got you Tim old boy?!
I don’t think he’s watched havertz playing for us. Don’t think his touch has been particularly “wonderful”, but he does give us something without the ball. Wins it back high up the pitch fairly often. To my mind he’s a useful tactical player who does what arteta wants him to do in the pitch – even if he loses the ball cheaply at times or misses chances to score or play a final pass, his positioning, I think, helps create space for teammates and helps us win the ball back quickly whenever we lose it. He’s the opposite of a luxury player, in fact, he’s an important cog in the machine.
I wouldn’t say he’s a reliable scorer for big games, but I do agree that he tends to “deliver” in his performances. Seems to raise it a bit for those matches and doesn’t seem phased when things get tough.
It’s those continuous late runs in the box for me. He’s a defenders nightmare. He’s excellent in air and he’s positive on the ball. Always looks forward. This is why we took him from Chelsea.
Who cares about you opinion Tim? You are not the gaffer so stay mute
Tim doesn’t watch football. Havertz is anything but luxury. He puts in a lot of work. I think he can do more but let’s not get silly Tim
He finds the right space to run into, which is part of a top strikers ability. His clinical finnishing let’s him down. He has become more aggressive, which is a good thing as he use to shy away from 50 50 tackles, but not anymore. He is also tactically cleaver, a bit like Trossard and knows his positioning and how to drag defenders out of position to make space for others. His clinical finnishing needs to improve as he often has the most chances to score out of all the Arsenal players, which is why Arteta sticks with him, also his aerial duals. It’s his first year in an Arsenal system, and we can all agree that he is improving. I think he is perhaps a more tactical option than Nketiah and as a goal threat probably on par with Jesus, with both strikers tactically different, but gives Arteta tactical options. Havertz does show up more than Jesus in the big games against Man City and Liverpool who are attacking teams, whereas park the bus Porto would have probably suited Jesus. Unless Havertz clinical finishing improves then Arsenal will no doubt be in the market for a 20 plus goal TargetMan that’s more consistent, like Milan’s Martinez or Santiago Gimenez, both consistent 20+ goals over past 3 years.
Yes we need Jesus for Champions league. It’s Taylor made for him.
…not my kind of player!.
In the Arsenal squad, Havertz is among the average players. He puts in a good shift when playing but nothing spectacular. Not having him does not reduce our chances of winning nor does having him increase our chances. He is an Elneny or Fabio Vera type of player, but who cost the club huge fee and wages. He takes more from the club than he gives.
If you disagree ask yourselves this, suppose we had a player worth £65M and £300k weekly instead of Havertz, wouldn’t we have been leading the league right now?? Such a player would have won us atleast one of the games we lost.
I wasn’t much (his) Harverts fan, but he’s really improving. To “65m and 300k a week” ask Chelsea and Man U.
If he & MA can work on his finishing, he’ll easily score 20+ goals a season
did Tim Sherwood really say “gives you nothing out of possession”…clearly not watched the recent Liverpool and Newcastle matches, and beating Man C before that
the advanced pair of #10’s Odegaard and Havertz have been exceptional in the intense high press, forcing mistakes
with rear pair of #6’s Jorginho and Rice, the box midfield has been a revelation and triumph
we absolutely dominated Liverpool, their lethal attack restrict 0.36 xG (or near) which is their lowest attacking output
Newcastle restricted to 0.16 xG
Havertz making the interception in midfield that Odegaard picked up and paced back to Havertz who laid off to Saka for the crucial 3 point securing 3rd goal
if that performance, Liverpool before that, gave “nothing out of possession” then I’m Tim it perhaps time to hang-up your pundit boots and reflect on what happened to your management career, although if this is his level of football knowledge it should be no surprise to anyone
“ gives you nothing out of possession..” That has to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard from a pundit all season. Havertz has been criticised for his on the ball contributions and sometimes rightly so, but his out of possession contributions are elite. The well timed runs he makes into the box drag defenders and create space for others. The second balls he collects. The tackling. The pressing with Odegaard. The aerial duels he wins. He does insane amount of work out of possession and his on the ball work is improving as well. Many times this season he’s given the pass just before the assist and could have had more assists if his teammates were more clinical in certain situations.
PS: I don’t think there are any players in our current squad who can be considered luxury. Everyone works so hard led by Odegaard who epitomises that.
What exactly is the issue, is it the 65m or it is the players performance?. frankly , I believe he has not been different from other players. he has had his moments and he has been average at times just like others, depending on the opposition being faced. Since he is presumed to be Xhakas replacement as an 8, what is primarily expected of him, is it to be a goal machine or just to be creative and score when presented with chances, of which i believe he offers a lot in that regard due to his cleverness. Tim is the one that doesn’t offer anything in football especially going foward …