Latest news with #Havertz
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Six Chelsea stars wanted to quit on last day of season – and who actually walked
Chelsea had one of the most chaotic and unpredictable summers in English football history back in 2023 as they looked to stop the rot following a dismal first season under Todd Boehly's stewardship Upheaval at Chelsea isn't exactly a foreign concept, but in the summer of 2023, it defined the club. A dismal 12th-place finish in the Premier League – their worst in nearly three decades – capped a turbulent season, despite Todd Boehly's eye-watering £500million splurge on new signings. The American owner's vision of a rapid rebuild backfired spectacularly, leaving the squad bloated, the dressing room fractured, and morale in tatters. Tensions rose, with competition for both starting spots and locker space leaving many questioning their futures. According to The Telegraph, at least six players were desperate to quit on the final day of the 2022/23 season. In the end, Chelsea's summer exodus saw a staggering 15 players depart, from club legends to forgotten signings, reshaping the squad in a way few could have predicted. The legends: Kante and Azpilicueta Two pillars of Chelsea's glory days – N'Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta – walked away on free transfers as their contracts expired. Kante, the tireless midfielder whose relentless energy powered Chelsea's 2016/17 Premier League and 2021 Champions League triumphs, joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad. His departure marked the end of an era for a player whose work rate, defensive acumen and, above all, one-of-a-kind humility made him a fan favourite. Azpilicueta, the versatile captain who lifted every major trophy during his 11-year stint, returned to Spain with Atletico Madrid. Both exits, while amicable, left gaping holes in leadership, experience and quality – and even bigger holes in the hearts of supporters. The shock sales: Mount and Havertz Perhaps the most stunning moves of the window involved Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, who linked up to score Chelsea's winner in the Champions League final just two years earlier. Mount, a Cobham academy graduate and lifelong Blue, was sold to Manchester United for £55m in a move that puzzled and frustrated fans. His departure, driven by contract disputes and a perceived lack of faith from the new regime, stunned fans and sparked debate about Chelsea's treatment of homegrown talent. Havertz, meanwhile, crossed London to join Arsenal in a £65m deal. The German's inconsistent form frustrated some, but his knack for big moments – like that goal in Porto – made his sale to a rival particularly bitter. These sales underscored the ruthless pragmatism of Boehly's approach – though, at the time of writing, both decisions look to have paid off, with Mount struggling for fitness at Old Trafford and Havertz underwhelming as Arsenal's primary goal-getter. The midfield overhaul Chelsea's midfield took a further hit with the exits of Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Kovacic, a technically gifted ball-carrier who'd been a mainstay since 2018, joined Manchester City for £25m, with the Blues content on bolstering a direct rival in order to cash in on the Croatian, who had one year left on his deal at the time. Loftus-Cheek, another academy product, moved to AC Milan for £15m after years of battling injuries and inconsistent roles. Both departures reflected Chelsea's shift toward a younger, more dynamic midfield, with Enzo Fernandez already in place and Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia – who would arrive a few months later – brought in to fill the void. The wide men: Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi, once heralded as the future of Chelsea's attack, also left. Pulisic, signed for £58m as Eden Hazard's replacement in 2019, struggled with injuries and form, managing just 26 goals in 145 appearances – and his £20m move to AC Milan felt like a mutual parting of ways. Hudson-Odoi, another academy gem, joined Nottingham Forest for £3m after a promising career stalled under Boehly's regime. He's been shining ever since at the City Ground, particularly under Nuno Espirito Santo – making his cheap exit look like one heck of a fumble, at least financially. The back-line bow-outs: Mendy, Koulibaly, Ampadu Edouard Mendy, one of several heroes of Chelsea's 2021 Champions League run, joined Al-Ahli for £16m. His shot-stopping prowess and calm presence had been pivotal, but an alarming dip in form and the arrival of new goalkeepers pushed him out. Kalidou Koulibaly, signed for £33m in 2022 as a marquee centre back, lasted just one season before moving to Al-Hilal for £20m. The Senegalese star struggled to adapt to the Premier League's pace, and his exit reflected Chelsea's impatience with high-profile signings. Ethan Ampadu, a versatile youngster who'd impressed on loan, was sold to Leeds United for £7m. His departure, while less headline-grabbing, further depleted Chelsea's defensive depth and homegrown quota. The forgotten trio: Aubameyang, Bakayoko, Rahman The summer also saw the departure of players who'd long faded from Chelsea's first-team picture. Tiemoue Bakayoko, whose £40million move from Monaco in 2017 promised so much but delivered little, left on a free transfer to Lorient after years of loans. Baba Rahman, another expensive flop, joined PAOK on a free, his time at Chelsea defined by injuries and loan spells. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit was perhaps the most telling of Boehly's missteps. Signed for £10.8m in 2022, the former Arsenal captain struggled, scoring just three goals in 21 appearances before departing to Marseille on a free. These moves signalled a clear-out of deadwood, but also highlighted the club's ill-thought-out and often scattergun recruitment – in eras both past and present. The loan departure: Lukaku Romelu Lukaku's saga took another twist as the £97.5m striker, who'd returned to Chelsea in 2021 with high expectations, was loaned to AS Roma. His underwhelming second spell – eight goals in 26 Premier League games – made his departure inevitable, though his hefty wages and contract complicated a permanent move. The Belgian had fallen out with Thomas Tuchel back in 2021, but even with the German gone, he had no intention to slip a Chelsea shirt over his head ever again. A loan move was eventually agreed on deadline day, which included a significant wage cut and a low release clause to ensure a permanent departure later down the line. The aftermath Chelsea's summer of 2023 wasn't just a clear-out – it was a seismic shift. Losing 15 players, including legends, academy stars, and expensive signings, exposed the mayhem of Boehly's early tenure. While the exits freed up wages and created space for new arrivals like Caicedo and Cole Palmer, they also left Chelsea dangerously thin in experience. Progress has been made in the two years since, however. And after clinching a top four finish on the final day of the 2024/25 season on Sunday, the Blues are back in the Champions League – ready to measure themselves against Europe's elite, and, perhaps, prove that the chaos of 2023 wasn't just necessary, but ultimately justified.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arteta's plan for star labelled 'sometimes good, sometimes bad' by man himself
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been beset by injuries this season and despite only just making his return to the side, Kai Havertz and his best position has already been questioned Mikel Arteta has admitted that Kai Havertz 's versatility is one of his biggest strengths - despite the German not agreeing. He has played a number of positions during his spell with both the Gunners and former side Chelsea. Havertz has played in roles up front, albeit his goalscoring ability has been questioned in that particular position. Meanwhile, the former Bayer Leverkusen man has also been stationed in midfield on occasion. With the German international making his return to action against Newcastle at the weekend following a long injury lay-off, Arsenal boss Arteta has admitted that his skill to play anywhere asked off him is a huge bonus. Speaking after the slender 1-0 win against the Magpies, he said: 'One of the biggest qualities with Kai is his versatility and his goal threat whenever he plays and he's so intelligent. He will play as a No9, he will play as an attacking midfielder - and he will be super important for us as a team.' Meanwhile, Havertz has already spoken out on his position. While he claims that he is happy to help Arsenal wherever they might need him, a constantly changing position might not always be beneficial. Speaking earlier this season, he said: "I don't know how many times I answered this question already. I'm just happy to be on the pitch. I'm not a player who only plays in one position. Sometimes it's good, sometimes its bad, but it suits me quite well. I just love it in this team. "I love to play as the false nine, the eight, as the No10, wherever you want me to go. In Germany. I played as a left-back as well, so it's all good." That attitude is certainly different to the one Havertz had with his first club Bayer Leverkusen, where he suggested he favoured being away from the frontline. Speaking at the time, he said: "I would say the No.8 position, inside right. I'm not a classic No.10, but I like to have the ball at my feet, simply enjoying myself on the pitch. "I've played in many other positions, but I prefer to play in the centre, where I have more of the ball. My dream will always be to wear the No.10 one day at my club.' Havertz, 25, joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2023. He has gone on to score 29 goals in 86 outings for the North London side since then.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE SCORE: Action on NOW as Isak OUT in huge blow to Toon while Havertz returns to Gunners squad
Arsenal team news Kai Havertz could return to the matchday squad after four months out with a hamstring injury. Mikel Merino received two yellow cards at Liverpool, meaning he is suspended for this afternoon's clash - proving Havertz's return timely. Declan Rice, Leonardo Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber have all trained this week and will be assessed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kai Havertz breaks Arsenal records amid injury transformation
Kai Havertz has undergone a physical transformation during his time out injured, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Photo byArsenal have been without Kai Havertz for the last few months of football, which has been a significant absence. The 25-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in February, and the Gunners have seen their Premier League and Champions League trophy hopes end without him. Advertisement Havertz had 20 goals and assists in 34 games for Arsenal before his injury, and he'll have the chance to add to that if he can make his on-field comeback in the final couple of games of the Premier League campaign. Those odds received a significant boost on Wednesday, when he stepped out in front of supporters at the Emirates Stadium for an open training session, rejoining full training. Photo bySpeaking about Havertz's time out on Friday, Mikel Arteta revealed that the player has been making very good use of the last few months. 'There's been a transformation in his body,' Arteta said. 'The last three years in his career have been so condensed that he hasn't had time to do that and this has been a window and he really wanted to use it. Advertisement 'To be fair, the staff and how they have explained the opportunity that is within with his physique to go to a different level and the things that he can improve and it can even help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player. 'He got on board with that, he worked hard, got on board with that, you can see his presence and I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last ten years. 'All of them. Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he's been incredible. I was talking to the medical staff the other day and they were talking about that.' Photo byIn the short term, Arsenal will just be glad to have a striker in the squad again. Mikel Merino has done a good job filling in, but the Gunners have certainly felt the absences of both Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. After that, it will be great news for the club if Havertz has raised his level and made himself ready to compete with a likely centre-forward signing this summer.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kai Havertz ‘destroying metrics' as he nears return from hamstring injury
Mikel Arteta has said Kai Havertz's determination to return from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule has led to the forward destroying every physical metric at Arsenal's training ground. Havertz was expected to miss the rest of the campaign after tearing a hamstring in February but the German has pushed himself hard during his rehabilitation and could ease Arsenal's attacking problems by proving his fitness for Sunday's home game against Newcastle. Related: Former kit manager sues Arsenal after being sacked for anti-Israel comments Arteta, whose side could seal Champions League qualification this weekend, is impressed by how much the former Chelsea attacker has bulked up during his time on the sidelines. 'There's been a transformation in his body,' the manager said. 'The last three years in his career have been so condensed that he hasn't had time to do that and this has been a window and he really wanted to use it. The staff explained the opportunity that is within his physique to go to a different level. He got on board with that. 'You can see his presence and I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years. All of them. Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he's been incredible. I was talking to the medical staff the other day and they were talking about that. For someone that is not in the team to have that mindset, the only thing he has done is raise the standards in the building because the other ones who are injured were looking at him [saying]: 'I'm going to look bad if I don't do the same.'' Arsenal have played without a recognised striker since losing Havertz. Gabriel Jesus was out with a knee injury, forcing Arteta to push Mikel Merino further forward. It is not a surprise that signing a No 9 this summer is a priority for Arsenal, who have Sporting's Viktor Gyökeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko on their radar – and Arteta is hopeful that the club's finances can be flexible enough. 'The budget is like when you plan your wedding with your wife, [or] when you build a house … [the budget] is always more,' Arteta said. 'You prepare for different scenarios. Sometimes we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured. There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what the priorities are going to be.' Any summer spending will not diminish the importance of Havertz, who remains Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League with nine goals in 21 appearances. 'One of the biggest qualities with Kai is his versatility and his goal threat whenever he plays and he's so intelligent,' Arteta said. 'He will play as a No 9, he will play as an attacking midfielder and he will be super-important for us.'
