Former Liverpool midfielder has urged Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to push forward Kai Havertz further ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
The Blues take on Liverpool at Wembley and it remains to be seen who will lead the line for Tuchel’s side.
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Romelu Lukaku has struggled for form since his big money move in the summer, whilst Timo Werner hasn’t proved to be a regular goal threat since joining in 2020.
German Havertz has often been deployed in a more advanced role than to what he is used to but has done well, scoring the winning goals in both the Champions League final and the Club World Cup final earlier this month.
Ahead of Sunday’s final, Hamann believes the likes of Havertz will have to step up.
“He’s a player who can decide a game in a flash. Lukaku seems to be a bit off form at the moment, I think [Virgil] van Dijk and whoever plays, they will be able to handle him,” the German told Genting Casino.
“You’re looking at the likes of Havertz, [Hakim] Ziyech, [Mason] Mount, they’ve got some good players.
“Timo Werner doesn’t play any role whatsoever, and that’s what I mean, they don’t seem to have the options Liverpool have got or the manager doesn’t trust them, and I think they could be a problem for Chelsea on Sunday.”
Whilst Havertz does hold an incredible record of scoring in big games, his overall consistency has been questioned and Hamann believes a push from Tuchel might just help him develop further.
“Maybe the manager should give him a bit more of a push. It’s a bit comparable to Leroy Sane. When Sane came to City, he didn’t have a great first season, he gave balls away, he didn’t play with any confidence whatsoever, and all of a sudden he started playing, scored a goal and things changed.
“Havertz has achieved everything he would have wanted to achieve, he went to Chelsea to win the Champions League and to win the Club World Cup.
“He’s done that and not only contributed, but scored the winner in both games. For the Chelsea team to give him the ball to take the penalty, shows how much they rate him, how much they appreciate him.”
