Kai Havertz recently made a bold statement, claiming superiority over certain Premier League strikers. He asserted, “At least I’m better than him; I scored a winning goal in a Champions League final for Chelsea, and he didn’t.” This statement drew the agreement of former Manchester United legend, Gary Lineker, who expressed his belief that Havertz surpasses Tottenham’s Richarlison and Manchester United’s Anthony Martial.
Havertz’s summer transfer to Arsenal for £65 million raised eyebrows in the football world, given his underwhelming performance during his three years at Chelsea. The German international faced difficulties adapting to his new club, prompting Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to defend him on multiple occasions. Arteta even suggested that Havertz’s teammates bear some responsibility for his early struggles.
Despite Havertz’s initial struggles at Arsenal, Gary Lineker firmly believes he outshines Richarlison and Martial. Lineker stated, “I don’t think at the minute you can judge any Chelsea player on last season’s performances. The club was in turmoil, it was a mess, it was a shambles, they all underperformed. I think there’s something in Havertz, and what gives it to me is he scored a winning goal in a Champions League final, he did that.”
Regarding Richarlison, who made a £60 million move from Everton to Spurs the previous summer, Lineker noted that he has struggled to live up to expectations. Martial, on the other hand, possesses undeniable talent but has been plagued by questions about his mental fortitude and injury woes. Lineker gave his rankings, placing Havertz at the top, followed by either Martial or Richarlison.
Lineker’s assessment underscores the unique circumstances that players like Havertz faced during Chelsea’s tumultuous season, suggesting that their true potential may not have been fully realized. He acknowledged Havertz’s pivotal goal in the Champions League final as evidence of his capabilities. In contrast, he hinted at the need for more consistency and improvement from Richarlison and Martial, who have faced their own challenges.
