Kai Havertz did not expect Thomas Tuchel to be sacked by Chelsea given the trophies won and success enjoyed during the German's reign at Stamford Bridge. But the forward insists the Blues are still "in for a good time" under new head coach Graham Potter.
It was a little more than two weeks ago that Chelsea – to the shock of players, staff, and supporters – announced Tuchel's departure. It's understood the decision was taken after a breakdown in the relationship between the 49-year-old and the club's new co-owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Chelsea had also started the campaign poorly; Tuchel's final match at the helm proved to be a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. However, that is not believed to have influenced the thinking of the new ownership, who had already decided to part ways with Tuchel before the loss in Croatia.
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“[It surprised] me too, especially when you consider how we've played in the past year and a half and what we've won," Havertz said in an interview with Kicker this week while away on international duty ahead of a clash with England. "We're currently sixth in the table, so you can't speak about a messed up start to the season – and we have many newcomers who first have to acclimatise."
Within 48 hours of Tuchel's dismissal, Chelsea had appointed Potter as his successor. Circumstances beyond the control of the Blues mean the English coach has only overseen one game thus far: the 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League. Yet Havertz has been impressed by the instant impact Potter has made at Cobham.
"Football is very fast-moving, a lot can happen at any time," Havertz explained. "Our new coach has made a very good impression, we have a great squad. I think we are in for a good time.”
Havertz started the draw against Salzburg as part of a two-man attack alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It's the latest role filled by the 23-year-old since his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 and debate remains as to which position truly brings out the best of the German star.
Not that Havertz is overly concerned, however. "My position is not that important to me," he said. "Whether I play on the ten, nine or on the right flank, I want to help the team and justify the coach's trust. I can put myself in any position.
"Of course, it's a bit harder for me as the ten because I've actually only played centre forward at Chelsea for the past year and a half and those are two completely different roles."
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