Chelsea should pursue Kai Havertz as an ‘option’ to replace Eden Hazard, says Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov has called for Chelsea to sign Bayern Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, as a long-term replacement for Eden Hazard. 

Attacking midfielder Havertz scored twice as the Bundesliga returned last week, and is one of the hottest properties in European football.

The 20-year-old has also been linked with Manchester United, but former United and Leverkusen player Berbatov believes Chelsea should pursue the German as a replacement for Hazard, who left for Real Madrid last summer after seven years at the west London club. 

Kai Havertz continues to impress for Leverkusen and scored twice on the Bundesliga’s return

Eden Hazard left Chelsea for Real Madrid last summer after seven years at Stamford Bridge

‘I think it is interesting to see Chelsea linked with him, they haven’t really replaced Hazard since he left and it was always going to be difficult to do so,’ Berbatov told Betfair. 

‘I think for sure they need to go for a young player with a lot of football ahead of them, if that is the case then they will also have to be patient as well because sometimes young players need time to adjust to the physicality and speed of Premier League. 

‘Havertz is an option for them but it has only been the first week back of the Bundesliga and I hope that he continues to way he has comeback, by scoring and producing the goals that he has done so far.’ 

So far this season, Havertz has scored eight goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances as Leverkusen stay within touch of Bayern Munich at the top of the table. 

Havertz scored twice against Werder Bremen, taking his season tally to 12 in all competitions

Former Man Utd and Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov says Chelsea should go for Havertz

After beating Werder Bremen 4-1 on Monday night, Havertz’s side are eight points off Bayern, but just one point off Red Bull Leipzig a spot ahead in fourth. 

On Havertz, Berbatov added: ‘There’s a lot of talk that Liverpool, Chelsea and other teams are interested in him, so now he needs to be careful, not let that go to his head and stay focused on his game. 

‘He has enough quality and if he continues the way he is going teams will still be there, they won’t go away. All eyes are on the Bundesliga at the moment and when you score goals and play good football it is no surprise that teams like Liverpool and Chelsea want you.’