Chelsea secured qualification to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 second leg, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
The victory was just the third in 10 games for Graham Potter’s men, having beaten Leeds United 1-0 in the Premier League in their previous game. The result, however, eased the pressure on the coach and his players.
Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz scored a goal either side of halftime as Chelsea dug in in the closing stages to put Borussia Dortmund out and seal victory. The German missed a penalty before being awarded a retake, which he later converted.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Havertz it was all praise for his manager, rooting for him to do well with the Blues. He said:
“In the media I can’t believe how many people are talking about him, we have hundreds of managers in England who think they know more than him, we know that in the dressing room he is a great personality and a great manager and he helps us all a lot.”
Havertz has made 33 appearances for the West Londoners this season, scoring seven goals and providing one assist. He will be looking to lead them to Champions League success again this season, as he scored the winner in 2021 against Manchester City.
happy birthday 2021 
🔵 Happy Birthday, 2021 #UCL ultimate hero Kai Havertz! 🥳 What can we expect from him next season? https://t.co/TTa9Mk6P1b
Chelsea will seek to reverse their poor form in the Premier League
Despite doing well in the Champions League and reaching the quarter-finals, the Blues are struggling in the league. They are tenth in the table with 34 points from 25 games, having won just nine games this season. Potter’s men have won just two, drawn six and lost four of their last 10 league games.
However, the fixture list doesn’t get any easier for Chelsea, who will face Liverpool, Manchester United, Brighton and Arsenal in April. They are currently 11 points out of the top four and will be looking to boost at least some European football.
The Blues will travel to face Leicester City in their next Premier League game on Saturday 11 March.