Kai Havertz Chelsea 2021-22Getty

Chelsea star Havertz explains why FIFA and PES are behind decision to wear No.29

Kai Havertz has revealed why he wears the No.29 shirt, with the Chelsea forward having filled that jersey since bursting onto a senior stage at Bayer Leverkusen.

It has proven lucky for him, with giant strides taken in his homeland as he became a full Germany international and a big-money signing at Stamford Bridge.

He is also a Champions League winner, having netted the decisive goal in a major European final last season, and will not be switching numbers any time soon.

Article continues below

What has been said?

Quizzed by The Athletic on why he favours No.29, Havertz has said: "When I was young I always used to play FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother.

"We always made ourselves in the game. I had No.10, golden shoes and things like that. My brother always put No.29 on his shirt. 

"When I came to the professional game and Leverkusen asked me what number I wanted to have, I asked them which numbers were free. When they said 29, I said I’d take it because of my brother. 

"Sometimes it’s lucky for me, sometimes not, but I like the number and now I think everybody knows me for it."

Will Havertz star for Chelsea as No.29?

Kai Havertz Man City vs Chelsea Champions League final 2020-21Getty Images

The 22-year-old took a while to find his feet in English football after completing a £70 million ($97m) move from Leverkusen.

He ended his debut season on a positive not, though, with a Champions League-winning goal recorded while filling a false nine role under Thomas Tuchel, and a hot prospect believes there is more to come from him.

Havertz added on scaling the heights expected of him: "We have so much talent in our team, so many young players with so much potential.

"It always takes a little bit of time. Timo [Werner] and I started the first game (against Brighton). I had trained for one-and-a-half weeks with the team and nobody knew me, nobody had an understanding with me.

"It was difficult for everybody. Timo was a little longer than me, but it was difficult for the first few months. 

"It takes a little bit of time, but when you come as an £80 million transfer people expect you to play like this even though you don’t have time to adapt. Now I think we’re getting used to it, and we’re very happy to be here."

He went on to say of his role in Tuchel's plans: "I like to go into the box and score goals, maybe from first contact or two touches.

"More or less, I’m a midfield player but I like to go into the box, and maybe that’s why not every defensive player has me on their mind — I just run through the midfield and then I’m there."

Chelsea are currently counting down the days to a UEFA Super Cup clash with Villarreal next Wednesday and a 2021-22 Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace on August 14.

Further reading

Advertisement