Antonio Rudiger played a key role in Timo Werner joining Chelsea earlier this summer and the defender admits he’s ‘hoping’ his contribution pays off again, with Kai Havertz on the verge of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been making up for lost time in the wake of their two-window transfer ban and appear immune from the financial repercussions of the coronavirus crisis, bringing in Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva already this summer.
The Blues have now set their sights on finalising a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Havertz, who has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with Frank Lampard’s side.
It’s understood the Premier League giants will pay Leverkusen €80million (£72m) up front plus a further €20m (£18m) in bonuses for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.
Havertz is currently on national duty with Germany at their training camp in Stuttgart – meaning his official unveiling may have to be put on hold – but fellow countryman Rudiger appears confident the youngster will soon be playing in the blue of Chelsea.
‘Everything went well with Timo Werner, so I made my contribution,’ the Chelsea centre-back said at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Germany’s Nations League clashes with Spain and Switzerland.
‘And I hope that it works again now [with Havertz].’
The integral part Rudiger played in Werner’s move to west London has been well-documented and he has reportedly been messaging Havertz for some time now to convince him to follow suit.
Back in July, Rudiger told Sky Germany: ‘Kai is talented, when I saw him train with the Germany national team I was like, “Wow!”
‘I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t want him at Chelsea.’
Werner spilled the beans on the role Rudiger played in his move to Chelsea earlier this summer and said their conversations were incredibly ‘useful’ in his decison.
‘I spoke to him, of course,’ he told Leipzig’s YouTube channel back in July.
‘I’ve known him for a long time, seven years now
‘He is a leading player there and knows all there and knows all there is to know. I think he played there for two or three years already.
‘He was positive about it all. It would have been strange for him to say different, though!
‘He was full of praise. He said that the city was incredible and that you can only be happy there so it was useful to be able to talk to him, and he really helped me in making my decision.’
