The 21-year-old hasn’t made an impact on English football as many expected, but his manager says it’s not due to a lack of desire
Former Chelsea, Leicester City and Germany defender Robert Huth has criticized Havertz’s performance and body language in the game at King Power Stadium. Indeed, Lampard withdrew Bayer Leverkusen’s £ 70million signing in the 67th minute, but little has changed after his withdrawal.
Ahead of an FA Cup clash with Luton, Lampard criticized criticism of Havertz’s pace of work.
“I can officially say from working with Kai that desire is absolutely not part of the problem. Is he as confident right now, this minute, as he can or will be? No, because he’s going through a tough time, as are other squad members, ”Lampard told reporters.
“Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah are players who were here at the same age as Kai. They left and took time and came back, and now they are absolute legends of the Premier League.
“I don’t want to build up Kai and put that pressure on his shoulders, but there clearly has to be a moment with the young players who come into this league, where people have to give them time, patience and sometimes a little bit of tremor room.
“It’s not that everything will happen in a few months or in one performance.
“He’s got a style that maybe when things don’t go people want to jump on it. I’ve seen players like that over the years, incredibly talented players. But let me tell you, his desire, the terrain where he covers in games are big, data and stats are important, and he needs time because we’ve seen this story so many times with players.
“I know him well, he’s a good boy and my job is to coach him as I coach the young players who have evolved last year in this team and who have made real names for themselves, to continue to play. ‘improve.
“And now is the time to give him confidence and show my support for him and he has my absolute support.”
Havertz’s lack of form, along with new signatory Timo Werner, are increasingly defining Lampard’s season, with both players having suffered 11-game droughts in the league.
The German duo, along with Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy all arrived over the course of a summer when Chelsea reshuffled their squad.
After finishing fourth last season, Chelsea have dropped to eighth place currently, suggesting the club didn’t need to bring in as many players as they did over the summer.
Lampard, however, countered the idea that his team had grown too big.
“I don’t agree with that,” he added. “I had two more windows where I was here. The first window that we couldn’t [sign players], the second window in which we did not bring anyone.
“At the end of the year the club are trying to improve at all times and what we have done is try to invest mainly in young players and for that you may have to wait your time . They are for the present and they are also for the future.
“I don’t see that [Chelsea signed too many players]. People can speculate as much as they want, but for a club you’re always trying to move on. I firmly believe that these players can be good players for the club.
“They are very good players. Right now it’s a difficult time for everyone. ”
