Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was singing high praises of Kai Havertz after Chelsea won the Club World Cup. And why shouldn’t he? After all the German has showed-up in Chelsea’s two of the biggest games in the history of the club. Havertz scored the winner in Chelsea’s club world cup triumph; a penalty in the 117th minute. Havertz held his nerve to send the Palmeiras goalkeeper the other way to slot in the penalty.
Club World Cup was the only trophy that eluded Chelsea trophy cabinet. Despite winning the Champions League against a mighty Bayern Munich in 2012 in Bayern’s backyard, that is the Allianz Arena, Chelsea failed to win the subsequent Club World Cup. The Blues were shocked by Brazilian side Corinthians in the final. However, finally Chelsea completed their set of Champions League, UEFA Super Cup by lifting the Club World Cup.
Ferdinand amusingly asks Havertz to “shut down”
While speaking about Havertz on his YouTube channel after Chelsea’s club world cup win, Ferdinand looked in awe of the German. Ferdinand himself is a Champions League and Club World Cup winner with United, but looked rather more hyped for Havertz. The former United defender even went on to hilariously suggest Havertz to hang his boots as he has already booked a place in Chelsea’s hall of fame.
Ferdinand said, “Havertz doesn’t have to kick a ball ever again in a Chelsea shirt, he’s repaid the £70m plus price tag now. He’s scored two of the biggest goals in the history of the club. You don’t have to do no more! Shut down, undo your boots, take ’em off, chill! It’s not gonna happen but listen. If he doesn’t play another game for Chelsea, he goes down in folklore.”
Havertz achieves long-standing record in Club World Cup final
Ferdinand has all the reasons to praise Kai Havertz as he has been instrumental in Chelsea’s both Champions League and Club World Cup win. Chelsea were underdogs against an incredible Manchester City team in the Champions League final last season. The Blues showed the world their mettle as they went on to inflict a 1-0 defeat on Guardiola’s Manchester City team and lift the club’s second UCL trophy. It was their first since 2012. Kai Havertz was the man for the occasion in Chelsea’s Champions League win too. Havertz scored his team’s only goal in the UCL final, which won them the trophy against City.
Havertz again rose to occasion in the club world cup final, scoring Chelsea’s winner. In doing so, Havertz achieved a long-standing record which was held only by Lionel Messi. Messi was the only player who had scored the winner in the Champions league final and a goal in the subsequent Club World Cup final. The Argentine did so in 2011, when Barcelona humiliated Manchester United 3-1 in the UCL final. Messi scored Barcelona’s second goal, after Rooney had made it 1-1. The mercurial player was again on the scoresheet in Barcelona’s club world cup final against Santos. Havertz caught-up with Lionel Messi after he scored the winner against City in UCL final, and against Palmeiras in the club world cup final.
Havertz has clearly stated he is not content with what he has won till now at Chelsea. “There are still many big titles to be won, this season alone. We have the chance of the Carabao Cup against Liverpool, the FA Cup, and we’re still in the Champions League,” said the German. Havertz and a talented Chelsea squad are quite capable of achieving big things as they have proved. Only time will tell how much they win.
