Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said that Thomas Tuchel has found the perfect role for Kai Havertz in his Chelsea team.
The 21-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Blues last summer after joining from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported initial fee of £71m that could rise to over £100m.
However, Havertz is yet to recapture the form that made him a standout player in the Bundesliga as well as the Europa League last season.
Admittedly his cause was not helped by being played out of position by former Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard, something that has already been corrected by Tuchel.
In the goalless draw at home to Wolves in midweek, Havertz noticeably played closer to the centre-forward and his runs beyond the striker were appreciated by many Blues fans on social media.
And Merson is of the opinion that the German international must always play in a more advanced attacking midfield role.
"He's a 21-year-old, he’s come over, his confidence is shot," Merson said on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show.
"I think the manager got it right the other night by playing him in the hole - he nearly scored in the last play of the game and if that went in, he’d walk off the pitch 6ft 4ins.
"At the moment, he’s just come over to a country where we're in lockdown.
"Even though he's 21, he's still got parents, he's having a bad time, he can't ring up his parents and ask them to come over for a couple of weeks to spend a bit of time to help him settle in, or a couple of mates to stay with him.
"That ain't happening."
Merson also explained why he feels sorry for Havertz after what has been a difficult adaptation period for the youngster.
"He's had a bad game, he’s got to go home and sit in an apartment or a house and just stew.
"He’s 21, he’s an absolute kid and I feel sorry for him."
