Germany boss Hansi Flick has handed Chelsea a fitness concern with Kai Havertz having been struck down with ‘flu-like symptoms’ on international duty.
The midfielder, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, has started the 2021/22 season in excellent form.
After scoring the winning goal against Manchester City in the Champions League final, the German teed up Hakim Ziyech in the UEFA Super Cup showdown against Villarreal, whilst also managing to score his first goal of the season in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool before the international break.
Those displays saw him handed the opportunity to impress new Germany boss Hansi Flick as he was selected in the former Bayern Munich man’s first national team selection.
Havertz started for Die Mannschaft during the 2-0 win against Liechtenstein but now Flick has put a question mark over his potential participation for the rest of the international break.
Talking in a press conference, he said: “Kai Havertz has a mild flu-like infection, but it's not that bad. We still have to see if he can train with us today.”
Whilst there is no suggestion that the 22-year-old will be out for a lengthy period, his absence could be of concern to the Blues ahead of their Premier League trip to Aston Villa this weekend.
Hakim Ziyech has already been struggling with the shoulder injury he suffered during the UEFA Super Cup, whilst Christian Pulisic also tested positive for Covid-19.
The American is now out of self-isolation although it could take some time for the winger to get up to full speed once more.
Clues will be provided on Havertz’s current fitness as Germany take on Armenia in Stuttgart in a 2024 World Cup qualifier tonight.
