Kai Havertz ‘has a good feel for the game and reminds me a little bit of Berbatov’, says Rio Ferdinand… but warns Chelsea’s £71m star he must show ‘ruthless’ side to improve
- Kai Havertz has scored one Premier League goal since his £71m Chelsea move
- The Germany international, 21, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League
- Rio Ferdinand believes it will eventually come together for the Chelsea star
- But while seeing parts of Dimitar Berbatov in him, he insists he must be ruthless
Rio Ferdinand believes Kai Havertz has similarities to his former Manchester United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov, but admits the German must become more ruthless.
Havertz arrived at Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in an £71million deal in the summer, but has managed just one Premier League goal since joining and has taken a while to adapt to the rigours of English football.
The 21-year-old however set up Hakim Ziyech as Chelsea took a 1-0 lead and a 2-0 lead on aggregate into half-time of their second leg in the last 16 of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Rio Ferdinand believes Kai Havertz (left) has similarities to his former Manchester United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov
However, the former United defender insists the German must learn to become ruthless
And Ferdinand believes that despite his early season issues, the Germany international will become the player he promised to become in his home country, but must show more displays of ruthlessness to improve his form.
‘It has [taken him a while to adapt]. It is normal that not all players hit the ground running perfectly,’ Ferdinand said.
‘He is one of them and he has taken the time to adapt. But I think you can see the quality is there, we saw at Bayer Leverkusen in previous years that he was a hugely talented footballer.
‘It has taken time but I think in the end he will get there, he is somebody who has a good feel for the game. He reminds me a little bit of Berbatov in how cool, calm and collected he is.
Havertz set up Hakim Ziyech for his goal against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge
And Ferdinand believes his silkiness and calmness means he is like Bulgarian Berbatov was
‘He is very silky, he plays on the edge of the game a little bit at times and drifts about.
‘He looks like a nice boy, and I want to see a ruthless side to him come out. I think you can [instil it] on a football pitch, to get yourself out of position that he is in now you need to find something maybe that is not part of your makeup.
‘Look and search for things you can add and that might get you on the steps to improving with your form.’
Joe Cole meanwhile commended Havertz’s ability to play with both feet but believes his price tag may still be weighing on his mind more than six months after his move to Stamford Bridge.
Ferdinand played with Berbatov for four years, winning two Premier League titles together
‘He goes both ways, he can play off both feet, I would like to see him take less touches, and move it,’ former Chelsea star Cole added.
‘It is almost like the price tag is weighing on him. He wants to hold on to the ball longer than he has.
‘He is not at Leverkusen now where he probably feels the responsibility, he has got other great players around him.’
Joe Cole feels Havertz may still be feeling the weight of his £71m transfer fee that Chelsea paid
