Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz hoping to emulate success of Michael Ballack at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz has set his sights on emulating the success of German great Michael Ballack.

Havertz moved to Chelsea this summer from Bayer Leverkusen for around £71million after starring in the Bundesliga.

It is a well-trodden path by German players, with many coming over to England in the hopes of succeeding in the Premier League.

Ballack was one of those who, after playing for Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, joined Chelsea in 2006.

The midfielder proved to be a hit at Stamford Bridge, winning all three domestic trophies and reaching the Champions League final during his four years there, and now Havertz has set his sights on emulating his fellow German.

“As a kid you always dream to play in a club like Chelsea, and you remember all the games they played in the Champions League,” he said.

“They won many great titles, and that is what I want to do in the future as well. So of course when you watch football as a kid you always dream to play in a stadium like Stamford Bridge.

“So now for me it's a dream come true, and now I have to work hard and do my best for the club.

“Michael Ballack was a very, very big player, he also played for Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. He was also a hero of course when I was younger, and he played for Chelsea as well.

“I liked him as a player very much, he played in my position and he was a midfield player who wanted to score a lot of goals. And I think of course I try to score goals as well, like him.

“He was always a very big player for me, but I've never spoken to him. I'm thankful to play in a club where he played as well.”

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