Glenn Hoddle says Kai Havertz must become ‘more assertive’ and arrive in the penalty box more often in order to have a greater impact for Chelsea.
The Blues splashed out £71million to sign the midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen back in the summer but he has endured a stuttering start to life at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz is yet to excel in one particular position in Frank Lampard’s side despite being giving chances on the wing, in attacking midfield, false nine and as a No.8 in a midfield three.
Off the pitch, he struggled with strong symptoms of coronavirus which saw him miss several weeks of the season.
Havertz earned his move to the Premier League with his excellent displays for Leverkusen last season as he scored an impressive 18 goals in all competitions.
For the Germany international to get back to his best, former Tottenham manager Hoddle believes he must break into the box more often and stop trying to be just a ‘nice player’.
‘At the moment Havertz is not showing anywhere near the player he was showing in Germany,’ Hoddle told the Evening Standard.
‘He is playing a bit deeper at Chelsea and I think if he starts arriving in the penalty area a bit more then we will start to see the best of him.
‘He is a good player and there is more to come, but he looks like a character who needs a bit of time to settle.
‘It is almost as if he just wants to be a nice player. For me, he has to be a little bit more assertive. Get himself in the box, hurt himself a little bit in the sense of his running ability to get in the box. And I think he will score goals.
‘He is finding it difficult to adjust but he will get there in the end. He is still a young man and he is a good enough player to adapt to the tempo and the ferocity of the Premier League.’
Meanwhile, fellow summer signing Timo Werner has also been toiling in recent weeks after an impressive start to the season.
The striker has gone five games without a goal in the Premier League, however, Hoddle backed him to find his feet again.
‘Werner will come back, he has hit a bit of a lull but I have no doubt about that,’ he added. ‘He has already shown Chelsea fans enough that he is a top player.
‘I think a goal here or there and he will be back to his very best. He is a top-quality player, down the middle or wide.’
MORE : Timo Werner admits he’s ‘struggling’ ahead of Chelsea vs West Ham
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