Here are the Chelsea evening headlines for Friday, July 3.
Havertz Premier League dream revealed
Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Kai Havertz as the Bayer Leverkusen star “dreams” of playing in the Premier League, according to teammate Wendell.
The Blues’ interest in the 21-year-old has been widely reported but it remains to be seen if they will match the German club’s asking price, which is supposedly close to £90million .
Yet if Chelsea can strike a deal with Bayer, convincing Havertz to move to Stamford Bridge may be a formality as Wendell says the versatile attacker’s ambition is to play in English football.
"He's a complete player," the Brazilian told Yellow and Green Football.
"He has a facility to understand what the manager wants. He finishes well with both feet. He’s strong with his head, he has good technique.
"Psychologically, the Germans are very focused people, too. They are very concentrated on what they want.
"If he goes to the Premier League, he will learn a lot. I think Kai dreams of playing there. He has that desire. If he decides to play in England, he will be a success."
Barkley departure may benefit Blues
Ross Barkley has never been able to hold down a first-team spot at Chelsea since arriving from Everton in January 2018.
The England international has had the opportunity to make himself indispensable under three different coaches - Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard - but has failed to do so.
It’s why a departure this summer can’t be ruled out and, according to the Mirror, David Moyes is keen to reunite with the 26-year-old at West Ham United.
Barkley and Moyes worked together at Everton and the Scottish coach hopes the offer of guaranteed first-team football may be enough to sway the midfielder ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
And if Barkley were to move on, it may prove beneficial for Chelsea as a spot would open up in their squad, one that Havertz could fill.
Duo ruled out of Watford clash
After Chelsea’s disappointing defeat to West Ham on Wednesday night, the Blues will look to get back on track when they take on Watford, another Premier League struggler, tomorrow evening.
Frank Lampard will, however, be without two players for the trip to Vicarage Road with Mateo Kovacic and Fikayo Tomori ruled out due to injury.
"Fikayo is still not fit," Lampard confirmed in his pre-match press conference . "He's hopefully going to be training with us next week.
"He's doing a lot of work, it's just in terms of the last bit, getting him on the training pitch, it's been tough."
Lampard added: "Kovacic is going to be out of this game. He hurt his Achilles in the West Ham game and we'll miss him in this one and probably the next one, but hopefully he won't be too long after that."
