Chelsea striker Kai Havertz has revealed the reason behind his nickname ‘Donkey’ among his teammates. The German international explained that he has always felt a special connection with donkeys, which he describes as calm animals that just want to live their lives. Havertz said that he has always loved donkeys and when he lost, he would go to a sanctuary to recover and find peace. He added that when he was 18, his parents gave him three real donkeys as a gift, which he adopted at a sanctuary. The donkeys were named Toni, Hope, and another one after his Chelsea teammate Antonio Rudiger.
Havertz’s love for animals has inspired him to launch a new charity called the Kai Havertz Stiftung, which focuses on animal welfare, youth development, and elderly care. The charity is based in Germany, where Havertz grew up and started his football career. The 22-year-old striker joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for £72m in 2020 and scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Manchester City last year.
Havertz’s relaxed nature off the pitch may be one of the reasons why he has appeared more than any other Chelsea player this season, despite the club’s record-breaking £600m spend on new players by owner Todd Boehly. In an interview with The Guardian, Havertz said that he is calm like donkeys and that he feels a special relationship with them. He said that donkeys chill all day and don’t do much, which is similar to his own personality.
Havertz’s love for animals is not limited to donkeys. He also has a dog named Baloo, who he describes as his best friend. Baloo is a French bulldog that Havertz got during the Covid-19 lockdown last year. He said that Baloo helped him to cope with the stress of playing football during the pandemic and that he is always happy to see him when he comes home.
Havertz’s charity work and love for animals have earned him praise from fans and fellow footballers. Chelsea teammate Antonio Rudiger tweeted his support for Havertz’s charity, saying that he is proud of him. Other footballers, such as Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, have also praised Havertz for his charity work and his performances on the pitch.
Havertz’s success at Chelsea has also earned him comparisons with some of the club’s greatest players, such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. He has been praised for his versatility, technical ability, and composure in front of goal. He has scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions this season, including a hat-trick against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Havertz’s future at Chelsea looks bright, but he remains focused on improving his game and helping the team to win more trophies. He said that he wants to become a better player and that he is always looking for ways to improve. He added that he is grateful for the support of his teammates, his family, and his fans, who have helped him to achieve his dreams.