Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is most at risk of losing his place in the side if RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku completes a move to Stamford Bridge next summer, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The Blues spent more than £250 million bolstering their squad during the summer transfer window but future deals are already being put in place in west London.
What is the latest on Nkunku?
The 24-year-old is set to join Chelsea in the summer of 2023 after signing a pre-contract agreement with the two-time European champions, according to The Athletic.
The report adds that chairman Todd Boehly has agreed to pay Leipzig more than the £53 million release clause inserted into the player’s contract.
BILD reporter Christian Falk previously reported that Nkunku had travelled to Frankfurt in September to undergo a medical with Chelsea with one eye on a future move to west London.
Journalist Dean Jones has previously told GiveMeSport that ‘everything is in place’ for the eight-cap France international to complete his move to Chelsea and that the transfer going through is a ‘safe bet’.
What has Phillips said on the move?
Phillips has claimed that, if Nkunku does arrive next summer, it will likely be Havertz fighting for his spot in Graham Potter’s side.
The German needs to show more consistency in his game if he is to stave off competition from the exciting attacker next season, according to the journalist.
When asked who Nkunku could replace in Chelsea’s side, Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: “I'd fear for Kai Havertz because he still hasn't 'made it' at Chelsea yet and we need to see much more quality and consistency from him.”
How has Havertz performed this season?
It has been a slow start to the campaign for the 23-year-old, who has scored just once in seven Premier League outings.
Havertz has started all but one of their top-flight outings so far this term, although his solitary goal came when coming off the bench against West Ham in September.
He has still shown flashes of brilliance this term, most notably when scoring a brace at Wembley as Germany took on England in the Nations League.
But despite notching the winner in the 2021 Champions League final, Havertz is still yet to reach the heights expected of him following his move from Bayer Leverkusen, bagging 24 goals in 102 appearances.