Arrival of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner raises stakes for Frank Lampard | Jonathan Wilson


Chelsea’s big summer spree means there can be no excuses about the manager’s inexperience or the need to learn the job

Last summer, a host of clubs had begun to express an interest in Kai Havertz. He seemed the model of the modern German attacking midfielder: powerful, quick, intelligent and with a capacity for scoring goals. That a year later he has chosen Chelsea is significant, not just for what he may bring on the pitch but because of what it says about the developing project at Stamford Bridge – particularly given Havertz was so keen to join he waived his signing-on bonus. This feels like a statement signing in the best possible sense and with that will come expectation.

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It has been an extraordinary summer, with the most exciting array of signings since the very start of the Abramovich era

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