Arsenal legend Paul Merson has told Frank Lampard to bench Chelsea summer signing Kai Havertz for the Premier League game against Lomdon rivals Tottenham.
The Blues will play Spurs on Sunday at the Stamford Bridge knowing a win could see them climb to the top of the Premier League table.
And Lampard has a number of decisions to make for the huge London derby, with Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic back in contention.
Havertz, who was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer window, is back available having missed up to a month of action after testing positive for Covid-19.
However, Despite the availability of Havertz, Merson says Chelsea should stick with the players who have proved effective in recent weeks and leave the German midfielder on the bench.
The former Arsenal player told StarSport: ‘Chelsea have found the right blend up front without Kai Havertz in the team and he might find himself on the fringes now.
‘It’s so competitive there now that if you find yourself out of the team it could be hard to get back in. ‘Havertz has missed a few games because he tested positive for coronavirus, and Chelsea have won them all.
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‘They’ve had Tammy Abraham up front and Timo Werner playing wider, and it has suited them. It looks like their best system.
‘Havertz wasn’t pulling up any trees before he missed those games. He’s a young lad who needs time to settle. I wouldn’t throw him back in against Tottenham because they look better without him right now.
‘Spurs did exactly what I thought against Manchester City and proved they are going to be contenders. But I actually think Chelsea will test them more.
‘City were trying to score the perfect goal. Chelsea will be more direct and have more pace. I don’t think Spurs can have 35 per cent possession against them and win.’
