Frank Leboeuf says Arsenal’s deal for Kai Havertz, from the perspective of the teams, is the ‘best signing’ out of Tottenham signing James Maddison and Mason Mount’s expected transfer to Old Trafford.
The former Chelsea centre-back thinks all three players had their struggles last season, but he thinks Kai Havertz was ‘the most consistent’, as he told ESPN.
Mount played in the same Chelsea team as the now Arsenal player, whilst James Maddison dropped to the Championship with Leicester City.
That wasn’t a good look on the Englishman’s CV, especially given that he was dropped to the bench during the penultimate game of the season.
When it comes to transfer fees, Tottenham have done pretty well to snap Maddison up for £40 million, whilst their rivals have paid over £60 million for their one-time Champions League winner.
Although, it needs to be noted that one player joined from a relegated side, so his fee was always going to drop, with Leboeuf sharing his thoughts.
“It depends, from the club’s point of view. From the fans or the players?” said Leboeuf. “From the player’s point of view, the best move is for Maddison. The guy played for a team that just got relegated to sign for Tottenham, it’s great.
“From the club’s point of view, I would say that Havertz is the best signing. He has been the most consistent of the three (Maddison, Mount and Havertz himself) last season.
“Yes, Mount at his best is the best player. But Mount wasn’t good last season. He had a lack of consistency, on top of being injured. Havertz showed, at his best, that he is very useful. Scored some interesting goals after the World Cup. But also a lack of consistency.
“Maddison almost didn’t play because he was injured at the beginning and was in a team that was relegated, so from a club point of view, I would say Havertz.”
All three can thrive
There is no reason why all three players can’t thrive in their new homes next season, although, it will be easier for others to settle in.
For Havertz, even though he is joining the second-best team in the league, his transfer was being questioned by many even before his move was confirmed.
Whilst Spurs have been crying out for a player like Maddison, so alongside Harry Kane, he will be at the centre of attention from an attacking point of view for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
As for Mount, it’s an interesting move, when it’s confirmed because some are surprised Chelsea are letting him go given what he has offered the club over the years.
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