Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Kai Havertz Reflects on Premier League Struggles and Growth
Kai Havertz moved from Germany to England to play football for Chelsea in 2020.
He expected the Premier League to be difficult, but its speed and physical strength surprised him.
His first few months were so hard that he wondered whether he had made the right choice.
Over time, those struggles helped him become stronger and more confident.
He now plays for Arsenal and says London feels like home.
At Arsenal, he changed from mainly playing midfield to being a number nine striker.
He learned to use his body, win headers and find better positions to score.
Havertz also said Arsenal works very hard on set pieces and that they helped the team score important goals.
Kai Havertz said his first months at Chelsea in 2020 were unexpectedly difficult because of the Premier League’s pace and physicality.
The Arsenal forward said he questioned his decision to move to England after struggling to make an impact during his first four or five months.
Havertz said six years in England made him stronger and shaped his character and development as a footballer.
He described London as his home and said he feels settled, loved and that he belongs there.
Havertz explained that Arsenal’s switch into a number nine role and its focus on set pieces have helped him develop and succeed.
- Who
- Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, who previously played for Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.
- What
- Havertz discussed his difficult start in the Premier League, his personal growth in England and his tactical development at Arsenal.
- When
- He made the comments ahead of a Sunday London derby; he joined Chelsea in 2020 and has spent six years in England.
- Where
- London and the Premier League in England.
- Why
- He was reflecting on his career, his adjustment to English football and his preparation for the derby.
- Player
- Kai Havertz
- Current club
- Arsenal
- Former English club
- Chelsea
- Move to England
- Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.
- Early adjustment
- He described his first four or five months in England as very difficult.
- Current role
- He developed from an attacking midfield position into a number nine role at Arsenal.
- Set pieces
- Havertz said Arsenal treats set pieces like penalties and that they contributed significantly to the club’s success last season.
