Kai Havertz eyes 'big turnaround' after slow start at Chelsea

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz has found first-team opportuniuties hard to come by at Stamford Bridge due to Covid and injuries. AFP

Kai Havertz said he expects "a big turnaround" in his fortunes at Chelsea now he is free of injury and illness, and that there can be no excuses if he fails to deliver at Stamford Bridge.

The German midfielder has scored just once in 21 Premier League appearances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for $98.20 million at the start of the season.

However, a combination of Covid-19 and an apparent lack of trust by former manager Frank Lampard saw Havertz, 21, used mostly as a substitute before picking up an injury last month.

"The coronavirus is now over [for me] and I feel good," Havertz told Chelsea's website. "I had a little injury in the past few weeks but it's now time to play good.

"It has not been easy for me but there are no excuses.

"I just have to keep on working and hopefully there will be a big turnaround soon."

Chelsea host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday. They won the first leg against La Liga side 1-0 in Bucharest.

The Blues are unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel since the German replaced Lampard in January.

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Leeds v Chelsea player ratings

LEEDS UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Illan Meslier – 8. Happy to see one early chance dribble onto the goalline, then another bounce off the bar, both falling into his hands. Later he saved well from Havertz and Rudiger. EPA

Luke Ayling – 7. Nearly embarrassed when he blazed a clearance against Llorente, which bounced back against their own crossbar. He did thwart Havertz from close range, though. EPA

Diego Llorente – 7. Spared an own goal by the crossbar after his teammate Ayling booted a clearance against him. Might have scored at the other end, were it not for the foot of James. PA

Pascal Struijk – 6. Did little that stood out, but blanked Havertz and then Werner, which is what the Leeds backline were detailed to do. Getty Images

Ezgjan Alioski – 6. Not an easy afternoon, as Pulisic and Ziyech took turns to raid down his flank. Booked for a foul on Werner, and was on the end of a further lecture for dissent. EPA

Kalvin Phillips – 7. Booked for landing his foot on Jorginho’s calf. His diligence covering for his defenders was often vital, even if it meant his influence going forward was limited. AFP

Raphinha – 6. Always catches the eye with his fast feet, but it was often inconsequential, and he could have done better when he shot straight at Mendy. AFP

Stuart Dallas – 7. Did his best to invoke the snarl of Leeds-Chelsea fixtures of times past as he clattered into Chilwell in the second minute. His smart passing caught the eye at other times (no match photo available). EPA

Tyler Roberts – 9. Had the ball in the net early on, only for it to be ruled out for offside, then hit the crossbar with an audacious chip shortly after. Excellent for the most part. PA

Jack Harrison – 6. Hard-working, but Chilwell was starting to get the better of him by the time he was substituted off just after the hour. EPA

Patrick Bamford – 6. He was a threat against his former employers until he was forced to limp off before half time. Deprived an early assist for Roberts by an offside flag. AFP

SUBS: Rodrigo – 5. On for Bamford before half time, his most notable contribution was a neat knock down to set up Raphinha. Booked, caught offside, then subbed off – not for the first time this season having appeared as a sub. AP

Helder Costa – 6. Did not do a vast amount going forward, but his introduction in place of Harrison did help nullify the growing threat of Chilwell. Getty Images

Mateusz Klich – NA. Not given much time to do anything of note – other than to annoy Rodrigo by coming on to replace him. PA

CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 7. Appeared to get the faintest of tips on a Roberts chip that ended up striking the bar, and did well to keep out a bobbling effort from Raphinha. AP

Cesar Azpilicueta – 7. Contrived an opening for Havertz with a neat through ball, and otherwise played his customary part in a strong defensive effort. AP

Andreas Christiansen – 7. Not as visible as his centre back colleague Rudiger, but every bit as assured in another solid display by Chelsea’s backline. Reuters

Antonio Rudiger – 8. Might have scored had he been more alert at a first half corner. Made an important clearance on the same piece of turf in the second half. PA

Ben Chilwell – 6. Mangled a good shooting chance as Chelsea pressed to break the deadlock, and did similar when well placed to cross, too. EPA

Ngolo Kante – 8. The work rate of the Leeds players is immense – which Kante seemed to regard as a challenge. He outran them all, without breaking sweat. AP

Jorginho – 6. Grouchy after being on the receiving end of a few heavy tackles, and not as noticeably effective as his midfield colleague Kante. AFP

Christian Pulisic – 6. Gave an early hint of his pace as he carved out a chance for Havertz. Appeared set for a fun afternoon at Alioski’s expense at that point, but the fullback marshalled him well. EPA

Hakim Zayich – 7. Played one delicious cross from which Havertz should have scored, and looked bright enough for it to be a surprise when he was taken off with over 20 minutes to go. PA

Mason Mount – 6. Often found spaces for himself in promising positions, but lacked precision with his passing from there. PA

Kai Havertz – 5. Should have done better when Meslier tipped over his drive when he was clean through, and might have showed greater hunger to get on the end of an early cross, too. EPA

SUBS: Reece James – 7. Made an important intervention to block a James shot, then an Ayling header, in quick succession. AP

Timo Werner – 6. Continues to cut a frustrated figure, and was unable to make an impact after coming on as a second-half substitute. EPA

Callum Hudson-Odoi – NA. Looked eager to impress in the short time he was on, but shot his best opening straight at Meslier. AP