Kai
Havertz insists he is not under pressure to justify his £75.8m price tag at
Chelsea, but admits he needs time to adapt to Premier League football.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder arrived at Stamford Bridge from Bayer
Leverkusen on a five-year deal earlier this month, before making his debut
in Chelsea's 3-1 win at Brighton on Monday.
Havertz - who is currently the most expensive of Chelsea's seven summer
recruits - admitted he was not at his best after the match, but believes he
needs time to adjust to his new surroundings.
"Of course, it's a big price tag, but I think in football today it is normal
to pay these prices," he said during a press conference on Thursday.
"For me, I will not put a lot of pressure on myself because I think I have
not done the worst thing in the past for the price tag to be that high, so
I'm just trying to focus on my football, to try and play my best football at
Chelsea and not to put that pressure on myself.
"I think I've settled in very well. Of course, Chelsea is a very big club
and for me it's a big step to come to another country, another culture,
another language, it's very different than before and of course that needs
some days, some weeks to adapt.
"It's a very big step to come from Leverkusen to the Premier League, it's
another way here to play football. As a kid I watched the Premier League a
lot, for me it was always the best league in the world, with the best teams,
and I'm now very happy to play in one of the best teams in England and the
world as well.
"It needs a little bit of time to adapt to the league. It's very different
to Germany but I'm looking forward to it."
Havertz: No 10 my best position
Havertz attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe before
signing for Chelsea, having registered an impressive 36 goals and 25 assists
for Leverkusen in 118 Bundesliga appearances.
His versatility in the final third is one of his many strengths, but his
ability to operate in the No 10 role is his preferred position.
"I think I played every offensive position at Leverkusen. I played as a
right winger, as a No 10, as a No 6, No 8, sometimes as a striker as well,"
he said.
"For me it's very important to have that flexibility on the pitch and to be
creative. For me, my best position is as a No 10, but of course I can play
on the right side as well or as a striker. To be honest, I'm happy to stay
on the pitch and I think I'm flexible."
'Lampard can improve me'
Havertz's ability to score goals from midfield has drawn a host of
similarities to Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard.
Having grown up watching Lampard in his Chelsea playing days, Havertz thinks
his new boss will improve him on the pitch.
"I watched many games of him as a kid, and he was also like the way I play
as a midfielder, to go in the box, to score goals and make assists," Havertz
said.
"I loved him as a player, watching him as a kid. He was one of the biggest
players in England of his time and for me of course Chelsea always had very
big players that I know from watching the Premier League.
"I think that helps a lot to have a manager who played such a long time in
the Premier League and national team.
"He can give me tips and I think he will help me a lot to become a better
football player, a better midfield player, so I am very excited that he is
my manager now."
Havertz excited about Werner partnership
After spending £200m on new players this summer, Lampard was only able to
give debuts to two against Brighton - Havertz and Timo Werner.
The arrival of Germany team-mate Werner has given Havertz extra comfort as
he adapts to life at Stamford Bridge, and he is confident they can form an
exciting partnership.
"Of course, I'm very happy that Timo is here," Havertz said. "I met him
first at the national team in Germany and of course we are friends. I think
we will have a good German connection in the team now.
"We play together in the national team and now here at Chelsea. I'm very
excited to play with him, he's a big friend of mine and of course when you
have a friend in your team it's always easier to play football. I think we
will do well."
Chelsea face an immediate test of their title credentials this weekend when
they entertain champions Liverpool, live on Sky Sports Premier League from
4pm on Super Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
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