Frank
Lampard has backed Kai Havertz to realise his "top-class" potential at
Chelsea now he is putting his coronavirus illness behind him.
Havertz missed several weeks of the campaign after testing positive for
Covid-19, with Lampard now revealing the condition took a greater toll on
the Germany playmaker than previously thought.
The 21-year-old has yet to find top form over a sustained spell since
joining the Blues in a £70m summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen, but Lampard
has tipped Havertz to become one of the world's best players in his time at
Stamford Bridge.
"Kai is fitting in really well, I said it before but I want to make it clear
that he had strong symptoms of Covid," Lampard said ahead of Tuesday's
Champions League clash with Krasnodar.
"He was very ill and struggling for a while and not all players have it like
that, some are symptom-free.
"I had to factor that in so that's why it took two or three weeks before he
is starting a game again after he returned from Covid.
"Before he fell ill and turned in a positive test, I thought his form was
fantastic.
"He played some really good stuff in the number eight role, the advanced
midfield role and I was delighted for him. You could see he was enjoying it,
but Covid cut that short.
"Long term, I have no concerns. In fact, I feel quite the opposite. He is
going to be a huge player for this football club, in the Premier League, as
he has all the attributes and attitude to be an absolutely top-class player
for the league and in the world.
"That's how highly I rate him and I think people that analyse him, it can be
quick reactions at times involving price tags and so on.
"But I think we have to understand that some of the best players that have
come to this country have found it quite hard for some time to get used to
the Premier League and I think Kai has actually been very good.
"Covid has made it difficult for him but he is a top player and will be a
top player for us."
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