Havertz in the calendar year 2024 had 22 (non-penalty) goals and 9 assists in 37 PL/UCL matches. This idea that he's not a legit striker is ridiculous. He's not a natural #9, and it's important to have one in the squad, and you're starting to get worried about his injuries. But combine that output with his many elite attributes in general play and that's a player at a higher ceiling than Gyökeres for me. But no guarantee he gets back there.
Agree that Gyökeres has been around a 6.5/10. We paid £60m for him (less than Havertz, not a ton for a striker), not huge wages either (and less than Havertz's), he was signed to be a squad player who could start in certain contexts, not the clear #1. He will improve as he adapts to the PL, it is a huge transition for him and he needs to change his game. For me he needs to take a new approach physically – he cannot bully the better PL defenders and would benefit from getting leaner and quicker. He makes very intelligent runs, but he moves like his blood type is ragu.
I think we've looked better with Merino in the team than Gyökeres tbh. Not an insult to Vik as much as praise for Mikel in that though.
