Michael Ballack believes that a switch to Chelsea would be an ideal career move for Bayern Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz.
Reports suggest Havertz has agreed personal terms with Chelsea after technical director Petr Cech flew to Germany for talks last week.
All that’s left to sort out is the fee, with the Blues thought to be around £20million short of Bayer Leverkusen’s £90million valuation.
Havertz has told Leverkusen he wants to leave, and Ballack claims Chelsea’s qualification for the Champions League has played a big part in his decision.
“He brings everything with him, but is still in development,” Ballack told German outlet Sport Buzzer.
“It is also important for such a player to play in the Champions League. Therefore a change would be logical for him.
“But he will also know that the competition and expectations of a big club like Chelsea are greater than in Leverkusen.
“He’s not an extrovert, more of a calm guy,” Ballack explained. “I don’t know what he’s like in the changing room.
“But the fact that he already received the captain’s armband from Bayer shows that he is highly valued in Leverkusen.
“The next step for him is to take on more responsibility. This will also advance him in personality development. And he needs international toughness.”
Havertz has previously been compared to Ballack himself.
“It is always difficult to compare types of players,” Ballack continued. “Kai Havertz is more of a free spirit on the square. He plays carefree because he has all the freedom. I didn’t have that.
“I was maybe a little more determined, but based on my experience I also had a stronger personality, which I had to work hard over the years.
“But Kai is still young, he will still be able to grow into this role.”