HERO HAVERTZ
Chelsea verdict: Kai Havertz proving he’s the man for the big occasion after Club World Cup and Champions League winners
KAI HAVERTZ took a deep breath before slotting home the decisive penalty making Chelsea world champions.
Say what you want about his career in West London to date, but he's now notched the winner in both the Champions League final and the resulting Club World Cup final.
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The Copa Libertadores champions only had 30 per cent possession but equalised on the counter when they were awarded a penalty for a dubious handball.
It took extra-time and another suspect VAR decision for Chelsea to break down Palmeiras, who worked hard to force the Blues deep into the Abu Dhabi night.
But when the Havertz was asked to produce, he found the bottom left corner with confidence.
The 22-year-old German scored the conclusive goal against Man City in the Champions League final in May before determining the Club World Cup trophy.
Havertz is the first player to produce this feat since the greatest of all-time Lionel Messi did it for Barcelona in 2011.
He has been in and out of the Thomas Tuchel's team this season.
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The German international hasn't scored a Premier League goal since the start of November.
And has only started one league game since contracting Covid before Christmas.
But Saturday night's heroics might elevate his game to that of Blues fan's expectations.
Havertz spoke about his winning spot kick after the game.
He said: "It's amazing. After champions of Europe, we are now champions of the world. It sounds better.
"I was nervous, I have to be honest. It's a big penalty. It's just crazy.
"It was good I kept the nerves. I am very happy.
"I was the third penalty taker but I was the only one left on the pitch.
"My team-mates gave me trust. I dreamed always as a kid of this. This is an amazing feeling for me."
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