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The 21-year-old German international has shifted positions almost every week as the Blues manager looks for ways to get the most out of him.
Frank Lampard has praised Kai Havertz’s personality and versatility to play in different roles as the Chelsea manager moves the German international to find greater balance in his squad.
Chelsea put on possibly their most comprehensive performance of the season in a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech, Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner.
It came when Lampard opted for a 4-3-3 system for the first time since the start of a game, with Havertz and Mason Mount as the two number-eights in midfield, either side of the more defensive holding player N’Golo. Kante.
The system saw Havertz play a deeper role than he has played since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen and Lampard admits to having experimented with how to make the most of his summer transfer of 62 million pounds ($ 80 million).
“It’s a real advantage when someone comes in and says they are happy to play in various positions,” Lampard told reporters after the victory at Burnley.
“He can play number 10 or out of the band, which he previously played for the club and the country before coming here. I know he has also played number eight, so that was part of the process for me, him and the team. “. to find the best way.
“It is very normal when you miss the preseason and look for those adjustments in the formation at the beginning of the season. Now, we are playing in a slightly different way and there have been a number of positive aspects. That does not mean that we cannot go back.
“It’s great to see what they did for Kai and Mason by bringing those attributes of what we consider to be really offensive players, but they also have the energy and desire to cover ground to help the team.
“Then they lift the ball and they can be dangerous when they get high [up the pitch], are two things that Kai and Mason have. Again, it’s through team balancing and working on that, but I’m really impressed with the humility of those two to do both sides of the number eight role.
“That’s what I want from the players who play when they are two number eight. I want them to help build offensively, unite, help build, make assists and score goals. They both did it today.”
In fact, both Havertz and Mount impressed on both ends of the field as Chelsea dominated possession, created a string of chances and won their fourth consecutive clean sheet.
Like Havertz, Mount has played a number of roles this season, but the 4-3-3 allows him to play in his favorite central midfield position. Lampard has been impressed with the way his hometown star has responded to competition from new signings like Havertz, Ziyech and Werner this season.
“I never doubted Mason Mount’s response professionally,” he added. “There are things that I see behind the scenes that maybe some outsiders don’t. His attitude is top notch every minute of every day in a work sense.
“I liked the balance of the midfield. N’Golo Kante was fantastic behind Mason and Kai and there was a fluidity about it as they gave up and got into the ball in deeper areas and provided for others. There was a lot of energy in that midfield as well. of quality “.
Chelsea’s four clean sheets in a row have coincided with the addition of new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who faces his former club Rennes in the Champions League on Wednesday.
In fact, no Chelsea goalkeeper has had three clean sheets in his first three league games for the club since Petr Cech did it in 2004, and Mendy has impressed Lampard so far.
“He has done so well that I am happy with the way he started and with his personality again when he signs players and takes them to the group that wants to see how they are,” he concluded.
“You never know until they are in the building. He has adjusted quite well. He is attractive, he trains hard, he wants to talk and build relationships with the players in front of him. It has been a really good start and I am happy he plays with his old team, I think it’s a nice story. “
