Mauricio Pochettino has been warned against letting Mateo Kovacic leave Chelsea in the summer transfer window - but has been told Kai Havertz should be sold. The Blues are set to move on a number of senior players with the Croatian entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Kovacic returned from injury in the final game of the Premier League season as Frank Lampard ended his spell as caretaker boss with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle. The 29-year-old has endured a number of injury problems this season and now looks set to have made his last appearances for the Blues.
The Croatia international has enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Stamford Bridge, winning the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. According to Fabrizio Romano, positive discussions have taken place between Manchester City and Kovacic's camp this month over personal terms.
Chelsea are said to be open to selling Kovacic as part of their midfield revolution with talks set to continue soon over a £35million deal. Havertz struggled last season and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid following Karim Benzema's departure to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
N'Golo Kante is set to leave Stamford Bridge and join Benzema in the middle-east as Chelsea continue their squad overhaul ahead of Pochettino's arrival. Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson believes the new Blues boss should try and keep Kovacic at the club, but allow Havertz to move on this summer.
Speaking to Neue Online Casinos, Johnson said: "It would be a big mistake if Chelsea let Mateo Kovacic go to Man City. He’s a big player for Chelsea and he will be hard to replace.
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"I can see why City want him, and if he is good enough for City then he is certainly good enough for Chelsea. They need to do what they can to keep him.
"Kai Havertz is not as important as Kovacic, and they can let go of him. They will get a decent value for him.
"He’s scored big goals in big finals, but he is not that much of a goal threat. He’s a luxury player that Chelsea could do without at the moment."
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