Joe Cole wishes ‘brilliant’ Kai Havertz stayed at Chelsea last summer… as he insists the German forward has been a ‘GREAT signing’ for Arsenal ahead of Tuesday’s clash at the Emirates

Joe Cole insists Kai Havertz has been a ‘great signing’ for Arsenal and wishes the former Chelsea star stayed at Stamford Bridge last summer.

The two London giants are set to lock horns at the Emirates on Tuesday, with Arsenal top of the Premier League after beating Wolves 2-0 at the weekend.

Chelsea, meanwhile, head into the London derby off the back of their bitter FA Cup exit, having narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester City in Saturday’s semi-final at Wembley.

Havertz, who has nine goals and five assists in the Premier League this campaign, will hope to keep pressure on title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool by inspiring the Gunners to victory against his former club on Tuesday.

Heaping praise on the Germany star, who joined Arsenal for £65million in the summer, Cole urged that Havertz is a ‘brilliant’ footballer and claimed his best position is at centre forward.

Former Chelsea player Cole (above) says Havertz has been a ‘great signing’ for the Gunners

Havertz played a crucial role in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph, scoring the winner

‘I always liked him as a No 9. He was a brilliant player for Chelsea,’ the TNT Sports pundit said. 

‘He came in with a massive transfer fee, played in multiple positions and ultimately scored the winner in the Champions League final (in 2021). I’ve always liked him and I didn’t want to see him go.

‘He’s gone there (Arsenal) and he’s done really well, found his feet. He’s a box player – whether he plays as a No 9 or a false 9 – he’s got a lovely instinct to score goals and has that weight of pass and calmness.’ 

Cole claims Havertz gave Chelsea a focal point in attack, similar to several iconic Blues strikers who came before him, such as Didier Drogba, Diego Costa and Fernando Torres.

Current Chelsea No 9 Nicolas Jackson, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £30m last summer, missed a catalogue of chances at Wembley on Saturday and received just 4/10 in Mail Sport’s post-match player ratings.

Chelsea suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals

Mauricio Pochettino’s youthful Chelsea side are gradually making progress but must now settle for another season without silverware, having last lifted a trophy back in 2021

Continuing to wax lyrical about Havertz, Cole added: ‘He’s one of those players I’d have loved to stay at Chelsea. He’s a cracking player. 

‘When he was playing that role for Chelsea, he was synonymous with strikers of the last 20 years like Drogba, Torres, Costa. Fans are used to having that. I think he did a great job for Chelsea and he’s been a great signing (for Arsenal).’

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