Peter Crouch has described Kai Havertz’s performance during Chelsea‘s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus as “frustrating” and says he can look “lazy and laboured at times”.
Thomas Tuchel‘s side suffered their first defeat of this season’s competition in Italy. Federico Chiesa scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of the second half.
The result represents just the second defeat for Thomas Tuchel’s side since the beginning of last season’s Champions League, with the Blues currently the reigning European champions.
Havertz was one of the players brought in to the side to take on Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit, with the German midfielder having started on the bench during Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
The 21-year-old had a big opportunity to equalise in stoppage time, but he headed over the bar from Ben Chilwell’s cross.
Crouch on Havertz & Ziyech performance
Crouch criticised Havertz’s display after the match, and claimed that he can look “technically brilliant” and “lazy and laboured at times”. He was also disappointed with the performance of team-mate Hakim Ziyech.
Covering the game as a pundit for BT Sport, the ex-Liverpool striker said: “I thought Ziyech and Havertz were very disappointing.
“I think Havertz reminds me of [Mesut] Ozil. He does things where it comes easy to him and he looks technically brilliant but he can also look lazy and laboured at times and he can frustrate you, and I thought tonight they were frustrating.”
“[Mason Mount] has the same quality as those boys but there’s more urgency,” he added.
“Tactically he gets back in, he potentially works harder – he looks like he works harder. I think that’s the difference.
“Allegri got it spot on tonight. They defended very well and made it difficult for Chelsea to break them down.”
Both teams still occupy the top two positions in Group H, with Juve’s victory taking them clear at the top by three points.
Allegri’s side next take on Zenit St Petersburg in Russia in their next Champions League fixture, whilst Chelsea host Malmo at Stamford Bridge.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
