Chelsea striker Kai Havertz has admitted he’s ‘not playing like’ Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski as the Blues’ attacking conundrum continues ahead of the Premier League trip to Everton.

Havertz, 22, apart from having 19 goal contributions and tallying in all competitions for the Blues this season, has already won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in FIFA since completing his £70million-plus move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2020. However, in recent games, alongside the rest of Chelsea’s attack, he has faltered when he had the opportunity to add to his ever-growing list of goalscoring contributions with the Man United draw, a prime example of the development he still has in his game if he is to reach elite level.

In that game itself, the German squandered many opportunities, including a one-on-one chance that came in the first half when N’Golo Kante’s forward pass dissected the line background of the Red Devils. It seemed inevitable that the false 9 would score but his tame effort was well saved by David De Gea. Not taking risks and being clinical enough was the order of the day at Old Trafford as the 22-year-old’s mini-goal drought stretched into his fifth game ahead of the trip to Goodison Park on Sunday.

READ MORE:Kai Havertz boldly claims Ballon d’Or ahead of Everton v Chelsea in Premier League

“I think many players can admire Ronaldo’s quality, attitude and career,” Tuchel said in his post-match press conference regarding his number 29 who Cristiano Ronaldo could look up to as a role model. He continued by adding on the decisive issue for the whole team: “This is the objective towards which we are working. It is also up to them to adapt, there is still time to adapt to the rhythm and planning. The planning is ruthless for us and again, it’s the moment that they have to adapt to the league, the physique, the rhythm, the requirements. The boys are still young: Mason (Mount) is still young, Timo is still young, Kai is still young.

“It will come. They will learn because they are good guys and they have the right attitude. attacking with the front line when the opponents want to play. So they have a bit of credit.” At 22, the sky is still the limit for Chelsea’s attacking talismanic figure who has had to bear much of the responsibility for scoring goals this term due to Romelu Lukaku’s shortcomings, but there are still questions as to whether the Champions League final goalscorer is the long-term option in the number 9 role.

Already knowing that the new ownership structure is set to hold talks with disgruntled Lukaku, new strikers could be on the cards as Chelsea have plenty of vacancies internally and externally to fill. Especially with the exodus in defense coupled with the required midfield refresh amid Jorginho’s links with Juventus.

Forwards will only be recruited by looks if members of the current cohort, like the club-record £97.5million signing, demand an early exit. Coupled with this, Havertz’s admission to Lewandowski could prompt Marina Granovskaia to seek the next number 9 with over £300m already spent trying to find Didier Drogba’s permanent successor, with only Diego Costa proving the worth of his silver so far as a striker.

“I would say yes and no. I’ve played a lot of positions over the past two years, now it’s number 9. I play there in the national team. I guess that’s a good position for me, I like playing there like that,” Havertz reflected on his best position question at Stadium Astro.

“Of course I’m not a typical No.9, I don’t play like Lewandowski. I like the position and I like being creative, being in the box and scoring goals. I also have a lot of other trumps, not just No.9. I think that’s a good position right now.”

How much Chelsea and Tuchel would have loved to have had the 48 goals the Poland international has scored so far this season in a Blues shirt rather than the Bavarians’ red.

Chelsea fans – where are the club going next in terms of the striker conundrum? Could someone in-house like Armando Broja be the answer? Leave your impressions in the comments section!