Evidently for Chelsea, buying one Bundesliga talisman isn’t enough. With the ink seemingly about to dry on Timo Werner‘s purchase from RB Leipzig, the Blues are on the next one.
According to the Daily Mail, The Guardian, and Goal, Chelsea want to continue their summer spending spree with Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz. In doing so, the Blues are making a clear statement of intent with a big bet on the future.
Chelsea Pursuing Kai Havertz and Betting big on Future
Havertz Ready for Step-up
Chelsea have had their eye on Havertz for over a month now. And it appears they will likely have to pay anywhere from £70 million up to even £89 million for the German, according to the Guardian.
Havertz has been in sensational form since the Bundesliga restart, playing in four of Leverkusen’s five matches and scoring five times. He did, though, sit out this past weekend against league leaders Bayern Munich because of a small muscular injury.
Twice since the restart, Havertz rated above an 8 on WhoScored and SofaScore with a man of the match performance mixed in. Most impressively, he did this while playing out of position. Havertz links up play well naturally as a second striker or number ten. But, with Kevin Volland out injured up until this past weekend, Havertz has filled in at centre forward brilliantly.
The great thing about Havertz is that he has not succumbed to the second season slump. His goals this year had dropped off greatly from last season, although a hot restart has rectified that. However, he has played better overall with a higher average rating per game, more key passes per game, 2.1 to 1, and more dribbles per game, 2 to 1.4.
There’s a reason Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes revealed: “all the great clubs from Germany and Europe are after him and that he has the ability to play anywhere.” After setting the Bundesliga record for youngest player to reach 35 goals, it’s time for him to take the next step in his career. And that could be at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz Fitting in at Chelsea
Chelsea adding Werner already meant a possible switch in formations and tactics. With Havertz, it cements that change and undoubtedly creates one of the biggest and best headaches possible for manager Frank Lampard. How does he fit a four of Tammy Abraham, Werner, the incoming Hakim Ziyech and Havertz in a 4-3-3? Or does a 4-2-3-1 accommodate all of them?
What about a 4-4-2, or more realistically a 4-2-2-2 with Abraham upfront with Havertz slightly behind him? That formation pushes Werner into his best position, although deeper which is perfect for his speed on counter-attacks, wide left and able to cut in. And the same for Ziyech who can cut in from the right on his preferred left foot and whip in crosses to not one, but two tall, strong forwards in the middle who are both good in the air.
Plus, when needing to rotate personnel in four different competitions, Havertz and Werner’s versatility allow them to take up the striker role. Ziyech or Havertz can play as a ten centrally. Havertz can also play wide right if needed.
All this versatility, though, relegates 21-year-old Christian Pulisic and 19-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi to not only fringe players, but possibly out of the matchday squad.
Chelsea’s Statement of Intent
Money doesn’t seem likely to impede Chelsea’s interest in Havertz. Sales over the past few seasons of Eden Hazard (£89 million), Thibaut Courtois (£35 million), Alvaro Morata (£58 million), and Diego Costa (also £58 million), plus not spending money because of the recent transfer bans means there are funds aplenty at Stamford Bridge.
Moreover, this is the time strike while the iron’s hot. Clubs around the world have suppressed budgets due to the Coronavirus stoppage curtailing revenue. Just ask Liverpool why they didn’t sign Werner.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, though, has deep pockets and can certainly bankroll these deals himself if needed. Add in the relaxed Financial Fair Play regulations because of the Coronavirus and Chelsea are sitting pretty.
Chelsea are taking advantage of a unique set of circumstances. When everyone else is bleeding, they’re betting big ready to thrive.
Chelsea going after Kai Havertz in the same summer they signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech shows a clear intent. Chelsea are attracting the top talents in the world. The goal is to win the Premier League. And winning the Champions League isn’t a dream, but an objective.
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