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Jake Stokes & Tom Coley

Chelsea news: Kai Havertz replies to controversial transfer claim as Graham Potter tipped for sack

Here is your Chelsea morning digest on Sunday, April 2.

Potter tipped for the sack

Odds on Graham Potter to be sacked at Chelsea have been slashed after the Blues lost 2-0 to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. The game saw his side drop into the bottom half.

Potter and his men were booed off at both half-time and full-time after goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn gave the visitors a sucker punch victory.

The bookies have now cut his price to back sacked next down just 10/3 after the latest defeat. Mauricio Pochettino remains the favourite to take over should he be dismissed. Former Bayern Munich man Julian Nagelsmann is also on that list.

READ MORE: Graham Potter speaks out on Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea transfer swoop amid 'unhappy' reports

Potter said after the game, "“It wasn't for a lack of effort, but at the same time we need to manage the small moments better. So the scoreline tells the story."

Read the full story, here.

Havertz promise

Kai Havertz has pledged that Chelsea supporters can be excited for years to come despite the turbulent start to life under new owners. The 23-year-old's message to Blues fans comes just days after comments regarding his future at Stamford Bridge were misconstrued.

In an interview with the official club website, Havertz said: "After the bad times we had – and the beginning of the year was very bad – we have progressed quite well. After bad times you’re going to see the sun again.

"In my career as well I knew when I had bad times to just continue my work and it was going to be fine. Of course we lost some times, our table position is bad, but the fans can be excited for the next few months and years, and everything that happens, because we have bought some good-quality players and they are going to achieve some big things here."

Read the full story here.

How Felix almost joined Villa instead...

Unai Emery has revealed that signing Joao Felix in January was 'not totally impossible' for Aston Villa before Chelsea entered the frame. Initially, the 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal but, after the Blues swooped in, he opted for a switch to west London instead.

But, it could have been all so different had Felix joined Villa instead. According to our sister site BirminghamLive, the Villans held talks with his agent, Jorge Mendes, over a potential move to the west Midlands.

Speaking to the press ahead of their clash with Chelsea, Emery revealed how he almost welcomed the Portuguese star to Villa Park in January. The former Arsenal boss said: "We are realistic about how we can improve, how we can add players to improve our squad.

"Joao Felix was not totally impossible for us but he wanted to play for a team in the Champions League. He has a high salary, and he plays at Chelsea on loan. Chelsea paid a lot of money for that. He’s a very good player but we were never really in the running for him."

Read the full story here.

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Mateo Kovacic drops key Graham Potter formation hint ahead of Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund

James, Kante, Pulisic: Chelsea injury news and return dates for Borussia Dortmund clash

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

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