Kai Havertz won’t join Chelsea without Champions League football — report

A basic premise behind Kai Havertz pushing for a move is that his current club, Bayer Leverkusen will not be playing in next season’s UEFA Champions League, after finishing only fifth in the Bundesliga.

Given that baseline assumption, Havertz would obviously be a lost less likely to want to join Chelsea this summer if the Blues couldn’t offer him Champions League football, regardless of the potential wages on offer. Money in the bank is good, vying for trophies on the biggest European stage (with money in the bank) is even better!

That’s the “update” this weekend from Christian Falk, who’s milking this rumor cash cow for all it’s worth.

Chelsea’s shambolic 0-3 drubbing at the hands of Sheffield United was a blow in that regard, but there’s some relief thanks to Leicester City’s implosion at the hands of Bournemouth. Of course, the path could get much easier if Manchester City’s European competitions ban is upheld tomorrow, when CAS will deliver their verdict.

Either way, Chelsea do control our own destiny, and if we win our remaining three Premier League matches this season, we will be playing Champions League football next season (pandemic permitting).

All that said, as exciting as signing Havertz might be, it’s surely become quite apparent that Chelsea need reinforcements not just in attack and midfield. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t sign Havertz if the opportunity arises, or if we can finance it without taking money away from defensive reinforcements.

Hot days indeed!