Kai Havertz has opened up on his hunger to win titles at Chelsea as he aims to build on from his European success since joining the club two years ago.
The 23-year-old has won the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.
Havertz has written himself into Chelsea’s history after scoring the only, and winning, goal of the 2020/21 Champions League final in Porto against Manchester City last year.
He has gone on to make 95 appearances for Chelsea so far, scoring 23 goals and registering 14 assists, playing under two managers - Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel - and playing a whole host of positions in the midfield and attack.
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Prior to Chelsea’s game against Leicester City, Havertz spoke with Sky Sports at Stamford Bridge to discuss a whole host of topics, including his friendships with the squad, the mentality inside the dressing room and the desire to clinch more silverware.
Chelsea dressing room atmosphere and friendship with Mason Mount
“In 2009, we (Mount) were on the same tournament, he was with Chelsea, I was with my old club. There was a picture where he was 10 years old and I’m 10, and we played in the semi-finals against each other. I know a lot of these guys for a very long time. Reece (James) was there, Trevoh (Chalobah) was there, Conor (Gallagher) was there, I know them and always felt very close to Mason and he’s a good friend.”
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“From the first day, Chelsea and the team, everyone was like… when you go to a big club you always think as a young player ‘ah, I don’t know if it’s going to be crazy, so many big characters…”
“Everyone who comes here says the same. It’s such a good group, so many good people in the changing room and for me as a young player, it was a big advantage to know a lot of players. We had a lot of players in the same generation as me, so it was quite easy. Not the changing room is top, we have a lot of players with experience, young players, it’s perfect.”
Hunger to win titles
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“As a footballer, you are always hungry, I am a hungry person. When I had these titles in my fingers, you are hungry for more. I think that's a big thing for the club, we are playing for Chelsea to win something.
"We also have to understand that the last six months were tough for everyone here, there were a lot of changes for everyone. Now we have to stay hungry, we are not finished as a team. We have big qualities, we need to show them now.”
Position under Thomas Tuchel
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“I do both, I played every position now. I’ve played as a no.9, no.10, on the wing, no.8, everywhere. I like to have close connections upfront with players and I know as a no.9 it’s hard to play in England, but I think I did it quite well in the last months.
"The game (against Leeds) was not good, but I am working hard, do the best I can, try to get better every day and that’s my goal. It’s not to get the consistency always as a young player, but my goal for the season is to play on a consistent level. Nowadays everything is about scoring goals, doing assists.
"If you don’t do it, you played ‘a bad game’, everyone says it, but for me football is more than goals and assists, and I try to show that on the pitch. I know people criticise you on the numbers if you don’t score for two or three games. I feel it as well, it’s not a good feeling.
"When you play there (upfront), you have to score, it’s like this and I want to come on to the position where I have the confidence thinking ‘yeah, today I’m going to score’. To have that confidence again, but I think it’s only coming through hard work and dedication, and I try to do that every day. The rest comes by itself.”
Topics: Chelsea, Kai Havertz, Premier League, Champions League, Thomas Tuchel, Mason Mount
