Champions League

[monks data]

Champions League | Round of 16 | 2nd Leg

Mar 7, 2023 at 8.10pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea
2 - 0
Dortmund

(Chelsea win 2-1 on aggregate)

Sterling (43'), Havertz (53' pen.)
Arrizabalaga (65'), Fernandez (77'), Chilwell (90+2'), Cucurella (90+6')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Sule (41'), Bellingham (90+8'), Wolf (90+2')

Joao Felix defends Kai Havertz over recent Chelsea form

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2023

Felix defends Havertz over recent Chelsea form

Joao Felix backs Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz to answer his critics with a goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Joao Felix has defended Kai Havertz over his recent form, backing his Chelsea teammate to score against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

Chelsea have endured a calamitous run of form in front of goal, scoring just four times in their most recent nine fixtures in all competitions.

Two of those goals have come from set pieces, and the Blues have failed to net from open play since Felix completed a well-worked move against West Ham United on February 11.

At a time when Chelsea are lacking a recognised centre-forward, Havertz has remained down the middle of Graham Potter's attack without making a positive impression.

The 23-year-old has netted just once in 12 appearances since the turn of the year, a header from a corner in the win over Crystal Palace on January 15.

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace on January 15, 2023 © Reuters

Since then, though, a seeming lack of work-rate and a succession of missed chances have frustrated the Chelsea fanbase, his current barren spell lasting almost 600 minutes.

Nevertheless, at a press conference ahead of the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund, Felix has backed the Germany international to score in Chelsea's most important match of the season to date.

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by football.london, Felix said: "He's an amazing player. Everyone knows what he has done for the club.

"We are the same age so I already knew him from a long time ago. We have a good relationship on the field and off the pitch. It's football. Sometimes you are on a streak of scoring in every game. Every time you don't you just have to keep working.

Kai Havertz in action for Chelsea on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

"He is a really good guy. He never stops working. He is always searching for ways to be better and to score. Tomorrow he will score."

In total this season, Havertz has contributed just six goals and one assist from his 26 starts and five substitute outings in the Premier League and Champions League during 2022-23.

His solitary strike in Europe was one of Chelsea' best strikes of the season, the attacker finding the far top corner from outside of the area against Red Bull Salzburg.

Havertz also contributed two goals for his country at the World Cup, netting a double versus Costa Rica after being introduced as a 66th-minute substitute.