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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Chelsea's switch in summer transfer window signifies new dawn – but perhaps without Kai Havertz

The look on his face said it all. His tongue stuck out as he ran almost aimlessly towards the corner flag. He slid just before reaching the flag. Ecstasy.

In an ideal world, it would have been the Chelsea supporters sat behind the goal, but there were thousands of furious and distraught Manchester City fans instead. But if you ask Kai Havertz about that moment in Porto, he wouldn't change it for the world.

"There are no words to describe all the emotions," the German said in an interview with UEFA in April 2022. "Scoring goals is the best moment for a football player. Because you sense the feelings of the fans, and you know how people sat watching at home on TV feel too.

"People who know you too, you know they'll be delighted for you, so in such a game the emotions are incredible. It was just amazing to score that goal.

"I am usually associated with the deciding goal, but for me it was more about being able to hold the cup in my hands. It was something very surreal. I couldn't really believe it and that's why I was not that emotional."

It's a night, a moment, a feeling, that nobody can take away from Havertz. It's something that will have him down in the history of Chelsea Football Club forever – no matter what happens for the rest of eternity.

READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All of the latest updates coming out of Stamford Bridge

But unfortunately since that infamous night in Porto, things haven't been too great for Havertz – and that is, sadly, the reality. Just 23 goals in 94 matches – in all competitions – since the Champions League final triumph. The majority of those games have come with Havertz playing as a centre-forward as well.

Sometimes he's been behind the striker, but that is perhaps the biggest problem of Havertz's time at Chelsea. Three years on since his £71million move from Bayer Leverkusen and we're no closer to finding out where the German's best position is. In fact, it sounds like he himself is not 100% sure.

"The position issue is really getting on my nerves now," the 23-year-old said last year when asked where his best role on the pitch is. "Everyone knows that I can play on the right, on the left, as a No.9 and as a No.10. Of course the positions are different, but I can play anything up front."

This season just gone, especially, Havertz looked lost at times. There seemed to be no plan or idea of what his role was in the team. Sometimes he'd look to hold the ball up, sometimes he'd run in behind and sometimes he'd come short if he wasn't seeing enough of the ball. It was perhaps too easy for centre-backs to mark him.

Albeit he was in a very bad Chelsea side, as has been well documented. But unless Mauricio Pochettino has a clear plan for Havertz, or can find one for him, his time at Stamford Bridge may well be over.

Chelsea are taking a more brutal approach to this summer's upcoming transfer window. The club's board need to offload 10-plus players as they look to completely revamp their squad in time for next season. The brutality is needed and for Havertz, that could spell the end of his tenure.

Real Madrid are very interested in Havertz's services, a source recently disclosed to football.london. Los Blancos recently lost Karim Benzema and are looking to add attacking reinforcements to try and replace the Frenchman. Havertz is on their list.

football.london also understands Chelsea would be willing to sell Havertz should the appropriate offer come their way. The club accept that recouping the £71million they paid for Havertz three years ago may prove tough. However, they are said to be willing to compromise somewhat with only two years left to run on the Germany international's contract.

Sentiment of course plays a part in football. It always has and always will. See N'Golo Kante, for instance, moving to Saudi Arabia – a lot of Chelsea supporters are distraught about that. Sense and logic, though, should – and it looks as if in this case, it will – trump sentiment with Havertz.

Have your say on Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, what to expect from next season and much more in our big forum below...

READ NEXT:

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