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Opinion

Kai Havertz is the key to unlocking Chelsea’s potential

Roar Rookie
12th October, 2020
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12th October, 2020
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The 21-year-old starlet was signed in early September from German club Bayern Leverkusen.

Chelsea, along with other elite European clubs, were chasing the attacking midfielders’ signature after a breakout season in the Bundesliga.

Havertz’s signing followed a huge transfer window for the club which included the signings of fellow German Timo Werner, Moroccan Hakim Ziyech as well as defenders Ben Chilwell from Leicester and Thiago Silva from Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer.

Manager Frank Lampard has been looking to re-build his Chelsea side following the club’s transfer ban. The ban was a result of the club infringing FIFA regulations which resulted in the inability to sign players for two full transfer windows.

Now with more signings and depth added to the squad, Lampard is looking to make a serious run in the Premier League as well as cup competitions.

More importantly, Lampard is looking to get the best out of his new $160 million signing.

Havertz struggled in his first two games in the Premier League, starting his first match as a wide midfielder and the second as a false-nine striker.

It is the central of the pitch, however, where Havertz shone during his last season at Bayern Leverkusen. Particularly in a central attacking midfielder role, where his strengths in interplay with fellow midfielders as well as forwards was evident.

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Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is in charge of a young Chelsea side. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

This link up play was on show during Chelsea’s 4-0 win at home against Crystal Palace.

Starting as a CAM in Lampard’s 4-2-3-1 formation, Havertz was able to dictate play primarily through link up play with fellow midfielder Jorginho and striker Tammy Abraham.

Havertz’s chemistry with fellow German Timo Werner was also on display, with through balls aimed at utilising Werner’s pace to get in behind the faulty Crystal Palace backline.

Havertz also shows great promise when collecting the ball from deep line positions, utilising his intelligence as well as deceivingly quick pace to create space for himself as well as others.

The greatest attribute of Chelsea’s new star is his off-ball positioning. Much like former Manchester City midfielder David Silva, Havertz has an innate ability to identify when and where he needs to be, passes before the movement actually happens.

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Almost like a character from Back to the Future, it seems as though the midfielder has already experienced the scenario at hand, being able to read defences as well as teammates to know where he should be positioned.

This level of footballing intelligence makes him very unique. Havertz has the potential to join a class of midfielder only containing the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, James Rodriguez and Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League.

Much like De Bruyne, Havertz looks likely to develop into a major threat with the ability to deliver a ball at virtually any location and at any angle on the pitch.

Lampard’s favoured midfield trio of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Havertz has the ability to create, as well as cover defensively when Havertz sees an opportunity to make forward runs into the opponent’s box.

The aforementioned Tammy Abraham has largely improved his hold up game, allowing for more interplay with Havertz and fellow forward Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea are looking to build a side around their new star midfielder, hoping he can bring success during the Lampard era.

This level of faith in the attacking midfielder looks likely to be rewarded.

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