When links between Chelsea and Kai Havertz first emerged, it raised a few eyebrows. Chelsea had just spent a boatload of money on Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, so there didn’t really appear to be a spot for Havertz in the squad on paper.

The thing with Havertz is that he’s one of those players that you sign first and ask questions about later.

If you ask Chelsea fans now how they expect to see the 21-year-old deployed at Stamford Bridge, you’ll get plenty of different answers. Will he play in central midfield? Behind the striker? Over on the right wing?

There’s a good chance he’ll occupy all three roles at one point or another, and he’s good enough to look at home wherever he ends up.

However, to suggest that Chelsea didn’t properly plan for Havertz’s arrival is ludicrous, and signs of just how perfectly he can fit in were clear to see in the pre-season friendly against Brighton.

Werner started in attack but often drifted out wide, as is to be expected from the German. During his final season with RB Leipzig, he often dropped deeper into midfield or strayed out to the wing to create space for other teammates to rotate into a more central role.

When Werner was on the left wing, there was a clear and obvious effort from central midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to get into the box and operate as a striker. He would drag defenders around by leaving his typical position and gave Chelsea a focal point, and that’s your Havertz role right there.

Stealing the show as a central striker towards the end of the Bundesliga season, Havertz is more than comfortable operating in that advanced role and will give Chelsea the kind of goal threat from deep which Stamford Bridge hasn’t seen since Frank Lampard’s playing days.

Rotation and fluidity look to be key in Lampard’s side. Werner starts central but heads left, Havertz starts deep and drives forward and Ziyech starts wide and drifts inside. It’s a defender’s nightmare as it’s impossible to manage.

When in possession of the ball, the German can do pretty much whatever he wants.

Whether it’s combining with other midfielders with intricate passing or using his terrifying blend of agility and power to bully defenders, Havertz can force himself forward and make things happen with a frightening lack of effort.

He’ll look for those runs from Werner, Ziyech and Pulisic and he’ll drop the ball off when needed, but if he doesn’t like what he sees, he’ll make the chance himself.

For too long, Chelsea’s only real goal threat has come from forwards. It’s why Mason Mount’s emergence was a breath of fresh air and why Ross Barkley has his own set of supporters at the Bridge. They both stop Chelsea from looking one-dimensional.

But Havertz brings his own dimension.

He’s the final piece in Lampard’s attacking puzzle. Now, the focus is on making sure all the cogs gel in the machine as soon as possible. Once Chelsea are up to speed, the results could be devastating.

Lionel Messi is expected to remain at Barcelona for the 2020/21 season following discussions with his father and legal team.

In one of the biggest stories of the summer, the legendary Argentine sent a burofax to the Catalan giants expressing his desire to leave the club. Messi had previously said ‘a lot’ needed to change after Barça lost their La Liga title to Real Madrid, and their embarrassing Champions League exit was enough to make the 33-year-old feel ‘determined’ to leave.

A meeting with new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is also said to have gone horrifically, with the former Everton boss apparently telling Messi his ‘privileges are over’. Messi and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu hardly see eye-to-eye either, and the former later missed training and coronavirus testing.

However, issues over a potential exit arose due to disagreements regarding a clause in his contract. Messi’s deal allows him to walk away for free at the end of each season, but only if the club is given ample warning and in a particular time frame.

La Liga backed Barcelona’s stance – which has always been totally opposed to any sale – stating the only way Messi would be able to leave Camp Nou would be another club paying his €700m release clause. Especially in the current climate, that’s a lot of money – even for a side like Manchester City, who have been touted as one of the frontrunners for Messi’s signature alongside Paris Saint-Germain.

Discussions with his father and agent Jorge, along with his legal representatives, took place on Thursday. Now, as reported by Marca, Messi is expected to remain in Catalonia. Their report states the attacker does not want to depart on bad terms, which would include going to court to essentially force a move away.

When Messi will return to train again with Barcelona is unclear. He has made no public statement as of yet, while his father has only uttered a few sentences when he’s been spotted out and about.

Yes, it’s all very confusing, but hopefully there’ll be a blanket statement from one side or another that can provide a bit more clarity on the situation. That would be really nice.