Chelsea took their summer season season spending spree to nearly 200 million kilos with the signing of German worldwide Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal on Friday. Havertz’s arrival at Stamford Bridge for a reported 71 million kilos ($94 million) is the Blues’ latest assertion of intent as they search to cut the opening on Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis on the excessive of the Premier League. The 21-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a forward, joins worldwide teammate Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva in changing into a member of the membership for Frank Lampard’s second season in value.
Chelsea accomplished fourth inside the Premier League remaining season, 33 elements behind champions Liverpool.
“I am very comfy and proud to be proper right here. For me it is a dream come true to play in a large membership like Chelsea and I’m unable to attend to meet the entire players and the trainers,” Havertz instructed the Chelsea site.
Havertz’s switch eclipses Werner’s short-lived file as Germany’s costliest footballer after he joined Chelsea for 53 million euros in June.
That is not the one file Havertz has taken from Werner.
He succeeded the earlier RB Leipzig striker as a result of the youngest participant to make 50 after which 100 Bundesliga appearances since turning into Leverkusen’s youngest ever participant when he made his debut at 17.
He scored 46 targets in 150 aggressive video video games for Leverkusen, along with 18 remaining season, nonetheless that was not adequate to steer them once more into the Champions League as they accomplished fifth inside the Bundesliga and went out inside the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Havertz was desperate to make the switch to a Champions League membership and Chelsea moved shortly to secure his signature no matter exhibiting to have further pressing points on the completely different end of the sector.
“Thrilling, dynamic experience”
“Kai is probably going one of many best players of his age in world soccer, so we’re very comfy that his future lies at Chelsea,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.
“He has confirmed pedigree in in all probability the best leagues in Europe, he performs for the German nationwide side and he is an thrilling, dynamic experience. We’re delighted to have the power so as to add his versatility and prime quality to the squad sooner than the season begins.”
Havertz’s goal danger, bodily attributes and expertise to unlock a defence have earned him comparisons every to former Chelsea midfielder and Germany captain Michael Ballack and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.
“He is explicit. He’s form of a hybrid of Michael Ballack and Mesut Ozil,” said former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves. “That claims a lot with regards to his targets and magnificence. He is a superb participant.”
Giant points are anticipated of 1 amongst Europe’s hottest prospects and Chelsea are making up for misplaced time in what they think about is a purchaser’s market due to the monetary have an effect on of the coronavirus pandemic.
A swap ban meant Lampard was not given any money to spend in his first season in value, whereas Chelsea moreover banked a membership file worth remaining summer season season for Eden Hazard’s departure to Precise Madrid.
The spending spree moreover indicators that Russian billionaire proprietor Roman Abramovich continues to be very rather a lot invested in his membership’s fortunes, even when he not resides in London.
Promoted
There could however be further new signings to come back again with a goalkeeper extreme on Lampard’s wishlist.
Chelsea spent a world file 72 million kilos for a goalkeeper on Kepa Arrizabalaga merely two years previously, nonetheless the Spaniard misplaced his place to 38-year-old Willy Caballero twice remaining season.
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