Kai Havertz Positive For COVID-19

JAKARTA - Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz has been confirmed as infected with COVID-19. This was announced by club manager Frank Lampard on Thursday morning WIB.

Chelsea said this just an hour ahead of the start of the Champions League Group E third round match at Rennes at Stamford Bridge, London, England.

"As a consequence the player concerned is undergoing a period of self-quarantine and not taking part in the Champions League match against Rennes," tweeted Chelsea's official Twitter account, @ChelseaFC.

Havertz has so far appeared in 10 matches in all competitions with Chelsea and a week ago provided an assist when the Blues crushed Krasnodar's hosts in Russia.

Frank Lampard has confirmed Kai Havertz has tested positive for Covid-19. As a consequence the player is now undergoing a period of self-isolation and is not involved in tonight's Champions League game versus Rennes. # CHEREN

- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 4, 2020

Chelsea itself finally managed to smother Rennes with a score of 3-0. Two Timo Werner penalties and a Tammy Abraham goal completed Chelsea's victory over the French club, who since the 40th minute had to play with 10 players because Dalbert Henrique received a second yellow card.

It has only been nine minutes since Werner was tackled by Dalbert in the area and the German forward faced a penalty himself to put Chelsea ahead of Rennes.

In the 40th minute, there was an incident in the visitors' penalty box when Abraham's shot appeared to hit Dalbert's hand. After consulting with VAR referee Felix Zwayer decided to give Chelsea another penalty and Dalbert was given a second yellow card.

Like his first penalty execution, Werner sent the ball from the spot to the ceiling of the Rennes goal without giving goalkeeper Alfred Gomis a chance to react and Chelsea took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Chelsea started the second half with the ambition to take advantage of the situation 11 against 10 to continue to widen the gap but Abraham's two chances were thwarted by Gomis and Nayef Aguerd.

Abraham's third attempt in the second half finally paid off in the 50th minute as he finished up Reece James' cross to perfection in front of goal.

Werner almost had a chance to complete a hat-trick in the 67th minute, but Damien da Silva had a careful reaction to cut off James's lure.

Rennes almost got a consolation goal seven minutes from time but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved a Clement Grenier shot to ensure Chelsea won on a clean sheet.

The victory kept Chelsea firmly at the top of Group E with a collection of seven points, ahead of Sevilla (5) who also won over Krasnodar (2) in another match, while Rennes (1) was stranded at the bottom of the standings.

Chelsea will travel to Rennes headquarters in their fourth round tie at the end of November following the international break.