Kai Havertz sends defiant message to Chelsea critics after Salzburg stunner seals Champions League progress

Kai Havertz insists that he does not have to nail down a specific position at Chelsea and says he is a match-winner after helping to beat RB Salzburg in the Champions League.

The 23-year-old's stunning 25-yard strike was the difference away in Austria on Tuesday night as he fired his side to top spot in Group E and a place in the last 16.

Having played on the wing, as a no10 and up front this season, Havertz denies that he has an identity crisis on the pitch, insisting that all he tries to do is contribute goals.

“After three years [at Chelsea], everyone should know by now what I can do, that I'm flexible up front and I can play a lot of different positions," Havertz said at the Red Bull Arena.

“Of course, sometimes it's good to play in different positions and sometimes it's bad, but in general I'm an offensive player. I like to be in the box. I like to score goals. I like to arrive in the box often and I don't care if I'm there as a no9 or a no10. If I'm in the box, I'm there to score goals and that's it.”

The Blues attacker had only scored two goals in 14 games ahead of Tuesday's match. Havertz will hope that new manager Graham Potter can kickstart a better run of form but is unsure whether Chelsea can emulate their 2021 success in winning the Champions League.

“That's a very difficult question because I've only worked with him for a few weeks, but he is a very, very good coach and time will tell how far we can go in the Champions League,” he added.

It's a competition that has inspired Havertz in the past, scoring the winning goal in the final against Manchester City in Porto in 2021.

“It's a special competition for me personally and for us as a club as well,” he said. "For me, it's the best competition in the world and everyone is excited to play in these matches. It was nice to score an important goal (against Salzburg) and I hope to continue in this manner.”