Paul Merson has urged Frank Lampard to bench Kai Havertz as Chelsea host Tottenham, citing the Blues' fine run of form without the German in the side.
Havertz returned to the bench for the 2-1 victory over Rennes in midweek after he tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month.
It cost Chelsea £71million to prise the forward from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but he has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form in the Premier League, with one goal in seven games.
The Blues won their three matches without Havertz in the squad by an aggregate scoreline of 9-1, with forwards Tammy Abraham, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner all hitting purple patches of form.
And Merson warned Lampard not to tinker with his winning formula by reintroducing Havertz for the crunch visit of Spurs on Sunday.
"Chelsea have found the right blend up front without Kai Havertz in the team and he might find himself on the fringes now," Merson told the Daily Star .
"It’s so competitive there now that if you find yourself out of the team it could be hard to get back in.
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"Havertz has missed a few games because he tested positive for coronavirus, and Chelsea have won them all.
"They’ve had Tammy Abraham up front and Timo Werner playing wider, and it has suited them. It looks like their best system.
"Havertz wasn’t pulling up any trees before he missed those games. He’s a young lad who needs time to settle.
"I wouldn’t throw him back in against Tottenham because they look better without him right now.
"Spurs did exactly what I thought against Manchester City and proved they are going to be contenders. But I actually think Chelsea will test them more.
"City were trying to score the perfect goal. Chelsea will be more direct and have more pace. I don’t think Spurs can have 35 per cent possession against them and win."
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