Why Kai Havertz didn’t celebrate Leicester goal as Chelsea position change verdict offered

Kai Havertz has explained why his Chelsea celebration against Leicester City was delayed and subdued after restoring their lead at the King Power Stadium.

Chelsea were pegged back by a Patson Daka strike from distance six minutes before the half time interval following Ben Chilwell’s stunning opener in the 11th minute against his former side.

Graham Potter‘s side searched for another to retake the lead and they did so in stoppage time in the first half through Havertz, who lifted the box over Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward into the back of the net.

But as the ball went in, Havertz and the rest of his teammates paused before looking across the pitch to the linesman to see if the flag was raised or stayed down. The players were cautious of it being offside after Joao Felix‘s 34th minute tap in was marginally offside.

Havertz has now revealed why his celebration against the Foxes was muted initially before his teammates embraced him after the goal was confirmed by referee Andre Marriner.

He told the official Chelsea website: “(Enzo Fernandez’s) ball for my goal was fantastic.

‘Scoring in the past few games is a great feeling but the most important thing is helping the team get the victory and hopefully we can push forward now.

“I must admit, I did think I might have been offside so I didn’t celebrate really! These days, with VAR, you know the goal will be checked so I thought it was best to wait and see first.

“Scoring is a great feeling and even though the celebration may not have shown it, it was the best thing and important for us to get the win.”

The Chelsea forwards have started to have more success in the last week. One goal against Leeds United, two against Borussia Dortmund and then three against Leicester. Chelsea won the game 3-1 thanks to Mateo Kovacic’s goal in the 78th minute.

Havertz was deployed in a fluid role across the front three as they constantly interchanged. The Germany international admitted it likes the role, however will play where he is asked to by Potter.

He added: “I like this position, it is quite a free role and I’m allowed to come deeper.

“Having said that, I also like to play as a number nine so having those options is good. Whatever the manager wants me to do for the team, I’m happy.

“With the system we are playing at the moment, it’s very fluid. It means I can be free, especially offensively, and I can find spaces to play.”

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