Jorginho has defended Kai Havertz
Jorginho has defended Kai Havertz (Image: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP)
Jorginho has admitted he was left stunned by the criticsim Kai Havertz received upon joining Arsenal.
The Gunners midfielder welcomed his former Chelsea team-mate to the Emirates in the summer of 2023 when Mikel Arteta and co secured the Germany international's signature for an initial £65million. The north London side initially struggled to find Havertz's best role in the team.
Eventually, trusting him to lead the frontline saw the Arsenal bag 13 goals in the Premier League, while nine goals have followed in 19 appearances in all competitions this season. Nevertheless it has been suggested Arteta requires a more prolific forward for Arsenal to get over the line in the Premier League.
Veteran midfielder Jorginho was left in disbelief by the criticism Havertz prompted. The Euro 2020 and Champions League winner can not speakly highly enough of his Arsenal colleague and could not help but try to reassure him.
"It’s crazy because he’s just an unbelievable player," Jorginho said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. "At the beginning when people was hammering him, I was like, these people, what are they talking about?
"I was like, is this really happening? I can’t believe it. I was like, oh my days. And then actually I went to Kai a few times and I was like, Kai, don’t listen, forget about it.
"You know what you can do it. This is crazy. And how much he helps the team, the way he plays.
"And for me, the big improvement he had since he came to Premier League is how tougher he’s getting every day. He’s getting tougher and tougher. And now he’s at this place that is unbelievable.
Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC
Kai Havertz was criticised after joining Arsenal ( Image: Alex Pantling)
"The confidence he has, the confidence that he gives to the team as well. And he’s so clever. He puts his body always in the same, in the best positions.
"He always gives a solution and he finds solutions in situations that you don’t believe he’s going to come out of or he’s just, he’s a baller. He’s like a big one."
Havertz will next have an opportunity to prove himself against Manchester United. The Gunners welcome Ruben Amorim's side to the Emirates on Wednesday evening as they attempt to apply some pressure to top-of-the-table Liverpool.
United meanwhile will hope to keep the Arsenal star quiet to record a second cleansheet under Amorim's tutelage against their toughest opposition yet.
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