Chelsea new boy Kai Havertz has reportedly asked for Fikayo Tomori’s No.29 shirt at Stamford Bridge as the young defender closes in on a season-long loan switch to Everton.
Havertz became Frank Lampard’s sixth new addition of the summer transfer window last week after the Blues wrapped up a £71 million agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the 21-year-old’s signature.
The Germany international is regarded as one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football and has impressed in his first training sessions with Lampard’s first-team squad ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
Chelsea are yet to confirm Havertz’s number and many assumed he would take Willian’s No.10 shirt following the Brazilian’s free transfer to Arsenal earlier this summer.
But according to The Athletic‘s Simon Johnson, Havertz wants the No.29 shirt which he wore across his four-year stay with Leverkusen.
Chelsea centre-back Tomori was in possession of the No.29 shirt last season but the 22-year-old England international is set to complete a temporary move to Goodison Park over the coming days.
Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o and Richard Nartey wore the number before Tomori.
Christian Pulisic – who donned the No.22 last term – is expected to take over the No.10 jersey for the new campaign.
In his opening interview with Chelsea’s official website, Havertz made no secret of his ambitions to win major trophies in west London and revealed the major role Lampard played in his decision to join the club.
‘Of course he had a big impact on my decision because I loved him as a player and watched him very often,’ he said.
‘And I think I can learn from him as a manager as well.
‘I think he’s a very humble person, a very great guy, and I can’t wait to play with him and learn from him.’
‘Also maybe on the things that I can improve and I can’t wait to work with him.’
