Let's rewind to November 2019. Things are very different at Chelsea Football Club. Roman Abramovich is owner. Frank Lampard is head coach. Tammy Abraham is top scorer. And there is very little indication of the transfer market splurge that will take place the following summer.
Meanwhile, a little more than 300 miles away from London, a German wunderkind is attracting interest from the biggest clubs in European football. Bayern Munich have been linked. Real Madrid and Barcelona too. Juventus are supposedly in the race. As are Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
That wunderkind is Kai Havertz of Bayer Leverkusen. His talent is beyond doubt. His potential is unquestionable. There is some debate, however, over what exactly his best position is. It's why Havertz was asked that very question in an interview with Spanish publication Marca.
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He replied: "I would say the No.8 position, inside right. I'm not a classic No.10 but I like to have the ball at my feet, enjoying myself on the pitch. I've played in many other positions but I prefer to play in the centre where I have more of the ball. My dream will always be to wear the No.10 one day at my club."
Three years have passed since that interview. Much has changed for both Chelsea and Havertz. The two are now forever intertwined; a Champions League final-winning goal has ensured that. But halfway through his third season at Stamford Bridge, there is growing frustration among the fanbase with the German international.
Havertz has made 112 appearances for Chelsea and has only found the net on 27 occasions. Yet what has drawn the most ire is his Premier League record: 15 goals in 69 appearances. It is not a tally befitting a player of his quality, especially as he has often been played as a number nine.
It was Thomas Tuchel who opted to move Havertz further forward. Under Lampard, the 23-year-old was predominantly used off the right or as a number nine. Yet the German coach felt his compatriot's physicality and technique could be best harnessed in the final third.
"I think that Kai feels very comfortable in high positions," Tuchel explained early into his tenure at Stamford Bridge. "I feel he is very comfortable to go to drop into half-spaces from the high position, to turn and drive with the ball and use his speed. But he also arrives very naturally in the box and the six-yard box, to finish our attacks. He can clearly play as a No.9, as a half-striker, or as a winger."
There have been spells in which Havertz has been influential as the leader of Chelsea's attack. Unfortunately, they have never lasted more than a few games. This term he has just four goals to his name and his performances prior to the World Cup break were largely ineffective.
Once again, questions have been asked as to what role would unlock Havertz's true potential in the Chelsea and German side. Perhaps as a No.10 after all? Or maybe as a No.9 in a two? Or could he be utilised as a No.8, as in his younger days? Nobody quite has the definitive answer and it appears Havertz is getting frustrated with the debate.
“The position issue is really getting on my nerves now," said Havertz while away at the World Cup with Germany. "Everyone knows that I can play on the right, on the left, as a No. and as a No.10. Of course, the positions are different, but I can play anything upfront.
“I really like the No.9 position, but I also know that as a striker you have to score goals. If I play there again on Sunday [against Spain], I’ll give my best once more.”
Chelsea paid Bayer Leverkusen £71million to sign Havertz in September 2020 – and that is a figure that would likely have been higher had the Bundesliga club's finances not been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Such an outlay came with expectations, and Havertz has yet to match those.
In many respects, Havertz is now in the territory Paul Pogba found himself in at Manchester United. Namely, he is a very talented player that appears to require a precise set of circumstances in which to thrive. However, it's unlikely he will ever get those at Stamford Bridge.
It is now on Graham Potter to try to decode the enigma that is Havertz. Lampard attempted to but didn't have enough time to succeed. Tuchel found a half-measure but certainly not the solution. Even Germany coach Hansi Flick is struggling at the current World Cup.
And for a player of Havetz's talent, it shouldn't be this hard.
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