AS HIGH AS A KAI
Havertz made Blues kings of Europe, now he makes them kings of the world
KAI HAVERTZ conquered Europe and now he has put Chelsea on top of the world.
Chelsea forward Havertz scored the winner in the Champions League final last May and is clearly the man for the big occasion.
With the end in sight, time ticking down in extra time, up stepped Havertz and showed nerves of steel to fire home a brilliant, priceless penalty to give Chelsea a wonderful piece of history.
This was the only trophy they had not won during all the glory years under Roman Abramovich and now they have completed the set by winning the
Club World Cup.
Havertz said: “It’s amazing. From Champions of Europe to Champions of the World. It sounds better! We did so much to be here, to win this game. An incredible feeling. I don’t know what to say. I dreamed of this as a kid, an amazing feeling for me.
“I’m thankful for everyone that brought me here, my family, my girlfriend. The Champions League final, now this – all for them.
“I think I’m the third penalty taker. Jorginho and Romelu Lukaku were both out. I was the only one on the pitch. The other players gave me trust. Hakim Ziyech, everybody said ‘you do it, you do it.’
“I have to be honest, I was nervous. It’s a big penalty, a big role. Just crazy. It was good I kept the nerves. I’m very happy.”
It was an unforgettable night, something even the greats like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry managed when they won the Champions League in 2012.
But this Chelsea generation joined Liverpool and Manchester United in becoming the third English club to win the trophy and delight the travelling blue fans in the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
Thomas Tuchel was there celebrating on the pitch with the players, having flown in the previous night after getting the all clear from testing positive for Covid last weekend.
And you could tell that Chelsea are a better, more determined team with Tuchel giving instructions from the touchline as he urged them forward after an energy-sapping 120 minutes of football.
Up in the stands, there was Chelsea owner Abramovich watching on having posed for selfies in the VIP section. It was all rather surreal.
The Palmeiras fans were out in force, they never stopped singing even if their night ended in heartbreak particularly for Brazilian defender Luan who gave away the last gasp penalty and then got sent off for scything down Havertz.
That was the only way of stopping Havertz who has had mixed fortunes since his £71million arrival a couple of years ago but will be worth every penny after these two trophies.
These games are always strange occasions, a clash of styles and cultures. And this was no different as Palmeiras pushed Chelsea all of the way.
It was far from a classic. The first half was dreadful. Mason Mount went off injured and Chelsea could not get going. But the game came alive after Lukaku headed Chelsea in front on 55 minutes.
Callum Hudson-Odoi crossed from the left, Lukaku rose and headed powerfully home.
But then it went wrong. Palmeiras got a penalty after Aussie referee Chris Beath checked the VAR touchline screen, saw Thiago Silva handled the ball from Palmeiras captain Gustavo Gomez and gave a penalty. Raphael Viega slotted home.
But in extra time. Cesar Azpilicueta saw his shot blocked, Luan had used his arm and Beath checked the screen again and gave a penalty. Havertz did not disappoint.
Luan was given a 119th minute red card for fouling Havertz – and Chelsea celebrated another trophy.