Thierry Henry compares Kai Havertz to Robin van Persie

Thierry Henry compares Kai Havertz to Robin van Persie after the German’s starring role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph over Dortmund… but warns he must score more goals for the Blues

• Thierry Henry has likened Chelsea’s Kai Havertz to retired star Robin van Persie 
• Havertz scored in the Blues’ Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund
• But Henry warned he must build on his build-up play and find the net more often

Thierry Henry has likened Chelsea star Kai Havertz to Premier League icon Robin van Persie after impressing against Borussia Dortmund. 

Havertz scored as the Blues beat the German side 2-0, 2-1 on aggregate, at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The German forward netted a re-taken second-half penalty, just his seventh goal in all competitions so far this season.

And though legendary former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry praised Havertz’ hold-up play, he warned that he must also find the net more often. 

He said: ‘I thought he was good on the first goal. You could see he held the ball ever so well. 

‘It reminds sometimes a little, very little, of a Robin – the way he can hold the ball. Robin van Persie was very good with his left foot. The touch was always immaculate to drive, to bring people along.

‘This is why I think out of the guy that used to be wingers or a No 10, he plays as a No 9 because back to goal, he can hold the ball well.

‘Now he needs to make sure he can transform that into more goals, because you can play off him.’

Pundit Thierry Henry has compared Chelsea forward Kai Havertz (right) to Robin van Persie

The German scored a penalty as the Blues beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League

And former Arsenal striker Henry, working as a pundit for CBS, likened Havertz’ clever hold-up play to his former Gunners team-mate Van Persie

Kai Havertz grabbed his 8th goal of the season against Borussia Dortmund and Thierry Henry has a positive outlook about the rest of the season for the German. 👀 #ucl #chelsea #chelseafc #championsleague

CBS pundit Henry is a former team-mate of Van Persie in north London, with the pair seventh and 13th respectively on the all-time Premier League top scorers list. 

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at Dortmund after Karim Adeyemi’s goal, the Blues were impressive in the first half and were rewarded with a Raheem Sterling goal two minutes before the interval.

Shortly after the break, Chelsea were – perhaps a little fortunately – awarded a spot-kick when Ben Chilwell’s cross hit Marius Wolf’s hand from close range.

Though Havertz’ first attempt struck the post, he was allowed to re-take it due to encroachment from a Dortmund player who then cleared the rebound away.

Graham Potter’s side join Portuguese outfit Benfica in the quarter-finals, with the draw set for Friday. 

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