Frank Lampard in agreement with Kai Havertz as he outlines role in Chelsea side

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is well aware he has landed a player with special qualities after signing Kai Havertz.

The German playmaker arrives at Stamford Bridge for a club-record fee with high expectations after carving out his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz has played in a host of positions in Germany and been compared to new boss Lampard and ex-Chelsea star Michael Ballack in the past.

In response to those comparisons, Lampard has hinted that he sees his best role as a No.10 but stressed he will look to use Havertz’ versatility to focus on delivering goals and assists.

“It is very easy to make those comparisons,” Lampard told the Chelseawebsite.

“I know he is hungry to score goals and make assists so I have already had those conversations with him, but I do think we are quite different in our styles.

“Kai can probably start in more forward areas than I started in. I liked to come from deep as a midfield player, and a lot of Kai’s really good play in the last few seasons as he has broken through at Leverkusen has been in a slightly advanced no.10 role, or slightly wider areas or more in a striker kind of area of late.

“So I think there are differences in our game and styles but in terms of what we try to bring to the team, it is pretty similar in terms of productivity in goals and assists.

“Michael Ballack was a a good player for us in terms of what he contributed and we have all got really good memories of Bally when he was at the club and what he did for us, but Kai is going to be his own player and his own person.

“He has his own style and he is very unique in terms of that, which really excites me to work with him, in terms of him going forward.

“The versatility is something we will certainly use.

“It is refreshing as a manager when you have a player come in who can play in different positions and also wants to play in different positions.

“He has great talent on the ball, his productivity is brilliant in terms of goalscoring and assists, and physically he is great in terms of how he can get around the pitch, and talking about his size we are comparing him to Michael Ballack. All those things come together but I emphasise we do need to give him time, but I am really excited about what he can do.”

Lampard’s view of Havertz’ role is in full agreement with the player himself, who stressed he sees himself as variation on a No.10 who delivers goals, assists and key passes in an interview back in November.

Asked his ideal position by Marca, Havertz responded: “I would say the No.8 position, inside right. I’m not a classic No.10, but I like to have the ball at my feet, simply enjoying myself on the pitch.

“I’ve played in many other positions, but I prefer to play in the centre, where I have more of the ball. My dream will always be to wear the No.10 one day at my club.

“I’m at a point where I don’t care if I give an assist, score a goal or make a key pass. Right now, I have a role at Bayer to try to make the final pass, and not only be a goal-scorer. But I would say that I’m a dangerous player… and that I like to score goals.”

The pair already seem to see eye to eye on what Havertz can bring – now Chelsea will hope he can replicate his Leverkusen output in the Premier League.

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