Michael Ballack has told Kai Havertz he must 'fight' to nail down a spot in the Chelsea starting XI.
Havertz has endured a slow start since his £72million move to Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, scoring five and assisting six in 26 appearances across all competitions.
Though, his settling-in period at Stamford Bridge has been far from settled having contracted coronavirus earlier in the season and seen Frank Lampard replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Havertz hasn't been helped by the level of competition in the Chelsea squad this season, either, but excuses won't do the Germany international much good as he looks to kick on at Stamford Bridge.
Or at least that's according to former Chelsea and Leverkusen midfielder Ballack, who has told Havertz to fight for his spot in Tuchel's starting XI with the midfielder having only started one of three games so far.
"It is important for Chelsea to understand that if you buy a player with that kind of potential, then you have to give him time, bit by bit," Ballack told The World Game.
"So he can be in that role and that the team can be built around him.
"At the moment there are too many players that fight for many positions. There are only a few players that are so to speak 'untouchable'.
"Therefore he now faces a normal competitive scenario. It just depends on him, if he is able to win it.
"He needs that will, but if he sees it and takes on the fight then he will be able to get that spot as he has exceptional football qualities.
"However it is a different level than at Leverkusen. Therefore he has to live with it."
Ballack also pointed to the differing styles of play at Chelsea and Leverkusen and why Havertz fared better at his former club, racking up 29 goals in his last two Bundesliga campaigns.
"At Leverkusen, they forced the game onto him with a lot of freedom. He didn't have to chase the ball and was used to attack," Ballack added.
"He probably has some issues now with the rhythm. That means, the game is a bit different. He now also has to work back and work harder on pressuring the opponent."
