Kai Havertz will walk into Arsenal's training headquarters on Tuesday morning looking like he has not a care in the world.
The reality is quite different. Havertz wouldn't be at the top of his profession without making sacrifices. But it's also true that he can leave those around him wanting more.
Not necessarily because they are disappointed with his output. Havertz has scored twelve goals this season, just two fewer than last season. At Chelsea, he scored the winner against Manchester City in their 2021 Champions League victory. Yet you often see Thomas Tuchel wanting to give Havertz a shake. Mikel Arteta also harbors similar sentiments.
It is said that during their time together at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel undertook a personal crusade to get the best out of Havertz. Not because he was disappointed in his performance, but because the German saw the potential in his compatriot.
“This man has the body, the talent and the head,” Tuchel said in 2021. “He has everything to play at the highest level.”
Tuchel challenged Havertz behind the scenes to show the world what he saw: not only a near-flawless technician, but a player with the roar synonymous with the lion on the Chelsea crest he wore on his chest.
But Havertz is naturally relaxed. Quiet and assuming – shy to some extent. You'll struggle to find a member of staff at Chelsea or Arsenal who has a bad word to say about the man Havertz. “Respectful, thoughtful and sweet,” the source said.
However, that personality does not always reflect positively on those on the outside looking in. Relaxing can come across as disinterested. Quiet and modest can come across as distant.
While Tuchel never saw that kind of negativity, he recognized the problems that natural indifference could bring, so he took it upon himself to unlock the Havertz he believed was within.
“From cooling mode to pumping mode was what Tuchel was looking for,” a source close to the new England boss explained. But the battle of nurture against nature is generally complex. Havertz, like it or not, is just not cut from that cloth.
Coincidentally, Arteta also believes strongly in the importance of body language and the messages it can convey. When the goals are flying in, your attitude is not considered. When goals and achievements have dried up, you better look like you care.
With that in mind, Havertz has become something of a scapegoat for Arsenal's recent problems. Some of that was self-inflicted. High profile misses against Newcastle last week in the Carabao Cup semi-final defeat and Manchester United on Sunday, as the Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup, have infuriated sections of the fanbase. Havertz's wife Sophia, who is pregnant, has made public screenshots of social media abuse she suffered at Ruben Amorim's side during the loss – including disgusting messages threatening her unborn child.
With Havertz being the team's leading goalscorer this season, there are likely more valuable targets for the supporters' ire.
Chelsea can be a tough school. Havertz is not the only player who isolated himself within the four walls of Stamford Bridge.
Mail Sport is advised that Mohamed Salah cut a meek figure during his time in West London. To some extent, Kevin De Bruyne was similar. Both left and haven't looked back. Havertz's career at the Emirates has started on a similarly positive trajectory, albeit without the plethora of trophies so far.
There was some concern behind the scenes at Arsenal when Arteta insisted the club would move to Havertz in the summer of 2023, when it became clear Chelsea were open to selling him.
Central midfielder? Attacking midfielder? Attacker? The talent was clear, but certain figures at the Emirates weren't quite sure where Havertz would fit.
Having already set up their stall to sign Declan Rice for a fee that would exceed the £100 million mark, it was seen as a high-risk transfer.
But like Tuchel, Arteta saw the promise. After a slow start, Havertz's performance against Newcastle in a 4-1 home win in February left the Arsenal manager believing he had cracked it.
The Germany international was unplayable – physically, technically and with a goal to boot – and Arteta left the Emirates certain he had found the number 9 the team craved.
Later that summer, Arsenal entered into negotiations with the forwards and insisted that the 25-year-old would start the season in possession of the shirt. Nearly twelve months later, the question remains whether Havertz has the all-round game to lead a team going for the title.
These doubts are justified, but are not solely the result of Havertz. After all, he is a player who was never recognized as a striker until Arteta tried to make him one.
The clues were there, and the fact that Havertz started his first season at Arsenal in central midfield was one of them. Still, it can't be argued that Havertz hasn't been productive – 26 goals in 67 starts is a decent number of goals – even if it may not be a title-winning goal.
Havertz has not been helped this season by the absence of attacking duo Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, and his recent form has not been helped by a winter illness that has affected a number of players.
Nevertheless, Havertz will continue to play a key role for Arsenal, at least for the time being – especially with Gabriel Jesus set to miss an extended spell as he undergoes tests to determine the severity of a knee injury he suffered in the loss to United.
Arsenal's biggest fear is that Jesus has suffered cartilage or ligament damage, which could raise questions over whether he can play again this season.
Havertz's idiosyncratic fondness for donkeys lends itself to an obvious, and rather unpleasant, comparison. But this is no laughing matter for Arsenal or Havertz.
Talk to those who have worked with him at both London destinations and they will tell you that there is a mischievous side to the player's personality that we don't see.
Arsenal will be desperate to see that devil explode to the surface as they try to salvage their ailing season.
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