’It’s different’: Pundit reacts as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could sign ‘outstanding talent’

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Darren Ambrose has labelled Chelsea forward Kai Havertz as an ‘outstanding talent’ ahead of his expected transfer to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

A lot is being made of this possible move and the transfer fee Arsenal are putting down on the table for the 24-year-old.

Former Premier League midfielder Ambrose thinks, if you are paying around the ’£75 million’ mark for Kai Havertz, then you would expect that player to go straight into the XI, as he told talkSPORT.

But given that Mikel Arteta has Gabriel Jesus as his number nine and captain Martin Odegaard just in-behind, then the feeling is that Havertz doesn’t play ahead of them two.

Of course, his versatility would also allow him to play across the front three or even deeper in midfield, but either way, Arsenal could be about to put down some serious dough for a player that has struggled with their rivals.

On one hand, that’s a bold move from Arteta, but on the other, it’s an almighty risk, as Ambrose shared his thoughts.

“The Kai Havertz one is different,” said Ambrose. “No, I don’t think it’s what they need.

“For squad depth, then yes. But are you going to spend £75 million they are talking about, if you are spending that for a squad player, then where does that leave football now? 

“I don’t think he’s a number nine. I think Chelsea utilised him a lot like that, but I don’t think he is. He hasn’t been truly prolific.

“He is an outstanding talent, who is kind of being played out of position, so he can’t show how good he is. He plays better for Germany than for Chelsea.”

Havertz the squad player?

When Manchester City first signed Jack Grealish for £100 million, he initially joined as a squad player, before breaking into the first XI this season.

But, at all times, there are always big-money players on Man City’s bench, Kalvin Phillips, for argument’s sake, the current example.

So, if you are to compete with the money-crazy and winning machine that is Manchester City, then you probably need to spend big bucks on a player like Havertz, just to be a squad player.