Harry Diamond
Kai Havertz has named what he believes to be his ‘best position’ and revealed why he’s ‘excited’ to learn from Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
The Germany international became Chelsea’s club-record signing after completing a £72m move from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window, the midfielder making his debut for the club in their Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend.
Havertz has forged a reputation as one of world football’s finest young talents since bursting onto the scene in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, and has opened up on his excitement after completing a ‘dream’ move to the Premier League and Stamford Bridge.
“I was dreaming as a kid to play in the Premier League and to play for Chelsea as well because for me Chelsea is a very big club and one of the best in the world,” he said, as per the Chelsea website.
“I always dreamed to play in a league like that and for me the dream came true very early because I’m just 21. I watched the Premier League as a kid very often with my brother and my parents so it seems a little unreal for me and my family that I’m now sitting here and playing for a club like Chelsea.”
Havertz arrives with a reputation as an attacking midfield talent and believes he has signed for the perfect manager in Frank Lampard, the Chelsea boss the fifth-highest scoring player in Premier League history and regarded as the greatest goalscoring midfielder of his generation.
“I watched many games of him as a kid and I loved him as a player,” Havertz said of the Chelsea boss. “He was one of the biggest players in England of his time.
“He likes the way I play as a midfielder, to go into the box trying to score goals and make assists. It helps a lot to have a manager who played for such a long time in the Premier League and in the national team.
“He can give me tips and I think he will help me a lot to become a better football player so I’m very excited that he’s my manager now.”
Havertz’s was deployed on the right-hand side for Chelsea at Brighton, and whilst admitting he can effectively play in a number of roles, the 21-year-old believes he plays his best football in a central position.
“I played, I think, every offensive position at Leverkusen,” he said. “I played as a right-winger, a No10, a No6, No8 – sometimes as a striker as well. But for me it is very important to have that flexibility on the pitch and to be creative, those are the things that I like.
“I think I can play many positions but of course for me my best position is as a No10. I can play on the right side as well or as a striker. To be honest I am happy to stay on the pitch and I think I am flexible.”
The youngster didn’t exactly have the greatest of debut’s, Havertz struggling to make an impact at the Amex Stadium and enjoying a moment to forget with a dreadfully misplaced pass out of play.
Havertz admits it will take time to adapt to the demands of English football but is confident he can thrive alongside compatriot, and fellow summer signing, Timo Werner.
“It is a big step to come to another country, culture and language. It is very different than before and that takes some weeks to adapt to, but I am looking forward to it,” he added.
“I am very happy that Timo is here as well… I think we will have a good German connection in the team now.”
Next up for Havertz and Chelsea is a home tie against Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday.
Read –Â Werner relishing Chelsea’s clash against Liverpool after being linked with summer move to Anfield
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