From Blues flop to Arsenal hero: Kai Havertz says 'leaving Chelsea was worth it'

Havertz has endured some tough times during his 4 years in England.

After joining Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £62 million, the expectation when paired with his massive potential made this a big move for the Blues and Premier League in general.

Despite scoring the goal to deliver the UEFA Champions League trophy for Chelsea, the Germany international was never fully accepted at Stamford Bridge.

Fast-forward three years, Havertz completed a second big-money move to London rivals Arsenal.

The 25-year-old had a shocking start, mocked, criticized, and struggled to make any impact or even hold down a position in Mikel Arteta's line-up.

Eventually, the Arsenal boss stuck him in the centre-forward position, and he played his best football since arriving in England.

He finished the season with 14 goals in 51 games, with 9 of them coming in 2024.

Havertz believes moving to Arsenal was the best move for him.

"The change from Chelsea to Arsenal was worth it.

"I know Chelsea fans were angry that I left, and the Arsenal fans weren’t so enthusiastic either, because it didn’t go so well at the start

"Then there is strength when the coach, teammates, and the people in your close environment stand by you and support you", he told Welt am Sonntag.

Havertz' explosion as a centre-forward could impact Arteta's plans in the transfer market. Regardless of what happens, it is clear the much-maligned forward is a new man at the Emirates.