samthegooner -- I think I'm with you.
I just thought of some random grading system for strikers in which you can get 5 points for "work" and 5 points for "contributions (G/A)". You could then further break down those into smaller categories (1 point for pressing, 1 for occupying a CB, etc.), but I can't be bothered at this point.
Gyokeres for me could be graded somewhere around 6 out of 10.
He has probably around a 4 out 5 for doing the work. I'm not sure of the exact role he's been asked to play, but Rice, Arteta, and other players have publicly applauded him. Contribution wise, it's hard to think he's any higher than a 2 out of 5....I'd like to have said 3 out of 5 as I have sympathy for him as he's not getting his type of service, but he hasn't been efficient for that apology to stick.
Merino for me could be graded somewhere around 8 out of 10.
Merino doesn't press as well, but he does more "work" deeper on the field to help us in possession, and to break out. All in, with our high commitment to pressing, I would be grading him at 3 out 5 for doing the work.
Contribution wise you have to tip your hat to Merino. His efficiency has been eye opening, there's full time strikers who dream of his conversion rates. Pretty much have to give him a 5 out of 5...but I'd imagine over a longer set of games, and against better opposition, we would see him drop down to a 3 out of 5.
All this to say, while I respect Merino's impact - and think it's probably been under valued - I don't think its sustainable for the second half of the season or next year.
As for Havertz, he has the physicality of Gyokeres, maybe even a level above, and I have no doubt he'll do the work. So you're expecting a 3 out of 5 in the initial ~ 5 games as he comes back into shape, and from there a 4 out of 5.
What do I think he'll "contribute" though for goals and assists? That really is the hard one to forecast as we've seen two versions of Havertz. I would like to think he'll match Gyokeres current impact and I think Havertz can create for himself easier than Gyokeres does. All that said, I'm hoping for a 3 out of 5 level through the 2nd half of the season.
Leaving me hoping that Havertz can get to a 7 out of 10 level, a touch above Gyokeres, a shade below Merino's "peak", and hopefully enough for us to win the league on the backs of a strong offensive season from Odegaard, Trossard, and Saka (re-finding top form).
