Havertz (left, with Mason Mount) signed a five-year contract with Chelsea in September 2020
Kai Havertz's Chelsea career has been a slow-burner but the gifted young German has demonstrated impeccable timing to ignite just as their season reaches a peak of possibilities.
Havertz arrived at Chelsea last summer from Bayer Leverkusen, in a club record deal that could be worth around £71m, amid the sort of fanfare befitting one of the most coveted young forwards in Europe.
The 21-year-old's languid style meant that for much of his time under Frank Lampard – the man in charge when he was signed – he looked ill-at-ease, off the pace and marginalised.
And Havertz's hopes of making an instant impact were further hampered when he contracted Covid-19 in November, recounting later that he spent "seven to 10 days just in my bed and everything was hurting".
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Those early months looked a distant memory on Wednesday. Against Real Madrid, Havertz demonstrated what all the fuss was about with a majestic combination of poise, elegance and power, as Chelsea completed a thoroughly deserved win over ageing opponents to confirm an all-Premier League Champions League final with Manchester City in Istanbul on 29 May.
Yes, Havertz could have been more clinical but class oozed from every pore and a couple of physical challenges showed he has all the assets to be the complete package. One in particular sent a message loud and clear.
As a long ball was played out of defence in the second half, Havertz found himself in direct competition for possession with one of the game's most intimidating sights, the ruthless old warrior himself Sergio Ramos.
Ramos, with four Champions League winner's medals among his many honours for club and country, has made his career winning this sort of duel, his reputation often intimidating opponents.
Not Havertz.
It was almost symbolic that Havertz startled Ramos by knocking him aside to take possession.
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The exchange drew shouts of delight from Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who has helped Havertz show his real self at Stamford Bridge since he replaced the sacked Lampard in January, and roars from the home contingent on the touchline.
Havertz also showed finesse to go alongside his fire when he took a ball from Jorginho in Real Madrid territory and with sleight of foot and superb vision, not only noticed compatriot Toni Kroos out of the corner of his eye but proceeded to demonstrate glorious awareness to caress the ball between his bamboozled opponent's legs to start another attack.
In the analysis of this game, marks must be taken off for Havertz's failure to score but even then those contributions showed his growing confidence and danger.
There is a nonchalance about Havertz that might be taken by detractors for lack of interest but it is a sign of natural gifts that are now showing themselves.
We will arrive in Istanbul with a clear focus to win the Champions League final – Tuchel
He showed audacity and confidence, a little too much perhaps, to try a chip when he received N'Golo Kante's pass in the 28th minute but his effort bounced off the bar for Timo Werner to open the scoring so all's well that ends well.
There was some surprise that Christian Pulisic was left on the bench but Tuchel clearly recognises that Havertz is running hot after his two goals against Fulham on Saturday. He could have had more here, sending a towering header on to the bar and drawing a fine save from Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Whereas Havertz's early body language betrayed struggle, there is an urgency to his stride now as he showed on many occasions here. And for such a tall man he moves very smoothly when he goes through the gears.
He has a delicate touch with both feet, hangs in the air well as he uses his height and there is a sense there will be plenty of goals to come. Like his running style, Havertz is a smooth operator when everything is in synch.
Havertz's 53 touches, the second highest of any Chelsea player, came all across the width of the pitch
Havertz was a potent link between midfield and attack, knitting many moves together with Kante, keeping Ramos occupied as he and the rest of this proud but fading Real Madrid side looked its age when faced with Chelsea's youth and energy.
Even the biggest signings need time to adjust to new surroundings, especially when they are young and accompanied by such a lavish price tag, but Havertz is starting to play like he feels at home and this is the sort of breakthrough performance that will only draw more from him.
Lampard – and what emotions must he have felt as he saw the side he helped build add a Champions League final appearance to an FA Cup final date with Leicester? – never wavered in his faith in Havertz, but the arrival of Tuchel seems to have come at the perfect time for the player.
There will be bumps along the road but Havertz now has the biggest European club stage to show what he is all about in Istanbul before taking his place in the Germany team at the Euros.
He will have a major part to play in what may yet prove to be a glorious repeat of the 2012 season when the FA Cup and Champions League came to Stamford Bridge.
If Havertz's Chelsea career had a stuttering start, the engine is now purring.
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Comment posted by AndyofKingston, at 06:57 6 MayAndyofKingston
06:57 6 MayLeeds fan….. I actually like this Chelsea team!16417
Comment posted by jimmy777, at 07:20 6 Mayjimmy777
07:20 6 MayWould it not be sensible to have final at Wembley15517
Comment posted by 18tennents85, at 06:46 6 May18tennents85
06:46 6 MayWell done Chelsea from a Rangers fan …hope Arsenal and Man Utd go through tonight too 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧16528
Comment posted by NeilAndy109, at 07:22 6 MayNeilAndy109
07:22 6 MayIt’s only a few months ago that idiots were branding him a ‘ flop ‘. He’s only 21 and some players need time to adjust. If you can’t see what the fuss is about within about 5 mins of watching him then football probably isn’t for you… he’s a class act. Pleased for Werner too, offers so much and works so hard, he’ll also come good1144
Comment posted by Had better days, at 06:50 6 MayHad better days
06:50 6 MayUpvote if you think we can beat City!
Come on Chelsea!!!19082
Comment posted by PB for certain, at 07:16 6 MayPB for certain
07:16 6 MayBy far and away the most improved Chelsea player is Rudiger. Last night he was top notch. Intriguing final to come for us neutrals.1137
Comment posted by iconoclast, at 09:25 6 Mayiconoclast
09:25 6 MayHazertz, Pulisic and Mount catch the eye but the most important factor in Chelsea’s revival has been Kante’s return to full fitness after the best part of two years. The forwards get the headlines while Kante wins games.891
Comment posted by Dubbus, at 07:40 6 MayDubbus
07:40 6 MayWhat I liked about Chelsea and Man City this week was that they had so many options up front.
Could have been pulisic Abraham Giroud zielich and others and city were the same with the likes of Aguero sterling torres just as some of the options.
Think this is a problem for Liverpool over reliant on mane firmino and Salah
Great performance by both clubs and deserving finalists885
Comment posted by 7 8 9 19 25, at 07:26 6 May7 8 9 19 25
07:26 6 MayFair play to Havertz. In his first game I saw him pass the ball out of play under no pressure and thought we’d signed another Torres. Now he’s adapting he is looking the class act I’d hoped we’d signed. Also praise to Mendy and Kante. Unbelievable last night624
Comment posted by The Gorg, at 07:08 6 MayThe Gorg
07:08 6 May“Chelsea forward ignites as Blues’ season reaches peak of possibilities.”
Human combustion is still quite rare so my condolences to his family.526
Comment posted by TC, at 06:51 6 MayTC
06:51 6 MayA way to go yet but there definitely are encouraging signs. Positive comments about Chelsea are so rare from the BBC that there must be some truth in this!474
Comment posted by maineroad8, at 07:26 6 Maymaineroad8
07:26 6 MayCongratulations Chelsea, a superb performance. I’d have preferred our chances against RM but no doubt final is between two in form teams.
Let the best blues win!444
Comment posted by bobby smith, at 07:58 6 Maybobby smith
07:58 6 MaySacking frank turned out be a great decision.what tuchel has done In the space of 3 and a half months is amazing he got them to 2 finals and could do the double401
Comment posted by DanWood, at 07:26 6 MayDanWood
07:26 6 MayHavertz in ‘English media jump to conclusion about superb young player who might need time to adjust to new league and country’ shock.362
Comment posted by Another Fickle Fan, at 08:46 6 MayAnother Fickle Fan
08:46 6 MayI thought Lampard was alright, and would get there eventually, however, seeing what Tuchel is doing with the exact same squad shows just how out of his depth Lampard was. This is why managers need to cut their teeth properly before taking a big job. Hopefully he learns from this and comes back a better manager.322
Comment posted by Peter , at 08:21 6 MayPeter
08:21 6 MayMan United fan , enjoyed watching Chelsea last night well done , but you should have battered Madrid , that is my only other comment , but well done again252
Comment posted by paul, at 07:58 6 Maypaul
07:58 6 MayWould it not make sense to play the final now in the UK instead of making the clubs travel to Istanbul ???254
Comment posted by Sheriff, at 07:02 6 MaySheriff
07:02 6 MayWell, this season just proves why the Premier league is the best in the world. But haters in Europe just want to bring the glory and style of the league down. It’s just not going to happen.
Congrats to Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and hopefully,Arsenal for flying the flags high👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾289
Comment posted by CastorTroy, at 07:34 6 MayCastorTroy
07:34 6 MayHavertz is turning out to be some player, Bravo203
Comment posted by therealronaldo, at 06:41 6 Maytherealronaldo
06:41 6 MayCome on you Blues, sheik rattle and roll Citeh in the final!269