Kai Havertz says he is happy to play anywhere as long as he is selected by Frank Lampard after joining Chelsea, but concedes he has a favourite position.
The Germany star’s versatility represented one of the major reasons Lampard wanted to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who represents the headline purchase of a big-spending summer window for the blues.
Havertz started Monday’s season opener at Brighton and although Chelsea began with a convincing 3-1 win, the 21-year-old gave a poor performance and conceded afterwards he was left exhausted after his first taste of Premier League action.
Lampard deployed Havertz on the right flank against Brighton with Mason Mount occupying a central role and Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Timo Werner played in advanced position.
Speaking about his preferred role, Kai Havertz said: ‘I played I think every offensive position at Leverkusen. I played as a right winger, as a No.10, as a No.6, No.8 and sometimes as a striker as well.
‘But for more it’s very important to have that flexibility on the pitch and to be creative, that’s something I like. I think I can play many positions.
‘Of course, for me my best position is as a No.10, but of course I can play on the right side or as a striker as well. To be honest I’m happy to stay on the pitch. I think I’m flexible.’
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Havertz earned a reputation during his time at Leverkusen as a goalscoring midfielder, timing his runs into the box perfectly in a manner similar to his new manager and Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer.
‘I watched many games of him as a kid and I loved him as a player,’ Havertz added. ‘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.’
