Winners and losers of a Havertz shift to left-back

Stuart Telford

• 19 Nov 2023 09:41 GMT
• 3 min read

Kai Havertz started at left-back, and scored, as Germany were beaten 3-2 by Turkey on Saturday. Julian Nagelsmann might have done Mikel Arteta a favour, but not everyone will win after his tactical innovation…

Nagelsmann has said it is not a permanent move for the player who is more often used in the final third for club and country - "He's an exceptionally good footballer. This is a very good option [but] he won't always play as a classic left-back."

But Havertz has struggled positionally, almost since he moved to England. An attacking midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen, he has been used as a striker, False 9, winger and central midfielder in his time at Chelsea and now Arsenal.

READ: 'Cole Palmer is who Chelsea thought Kai Havertz would be'

It is largely from the latter position that he has only managed one goal and one assist from 19 games across all competitions since his £65 million summer move to the Gunners.

Vieira and Tierney paying close attention

One obvious winner would be Fabio Vieira. The Portuguese, who shares a name with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, has had to share playing time with Havertz this season, but has consistently looked more dangerous than the German when introduced to Arsenal's midfield, with three more goal-involvements from nearly 750 less minutes played.

Kieran Tierney would be among the biggest losers, meanwhile. The Scot was farmed out on loan Real Sociedad in the summer having been displaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko as first choice left-back, but if Havertz provides further cover in his position there will be no way back for him.

READ: Real Sociedad boss has say after Kieran Tierney debut

Havertz didn't impress throughout his left-back cameo, however, and conceded the late penalty that Yusuf Sari converted to give Turkey the win over Germany. If Arteta tries the experiment and it fails, he could have egg on his face.

Vieira and Tierney will be watching on with interest either way.