Kai Havertz insists he will be unfazed by his big-money move from Leverkusen to London, insisting the only pressure he places on himself is to give everything and focus on the football.
The German midfielder completed his transfer earlier this month and made his debut against Brighton in our Premier League opener on Monday night. Speaking at a press conference at Cobham, the 21-year-old claimed significant transfer fees were part of modern football and players simply had to deal with the expectations they brought.
‘It’s a big price tag but in football today it’s normal to pay these prices,’ he explained. ‘I will not put a lot of pressure on myself because I’ve done not bad in the past, which is which the price tag was that high.
‘I’m just trying to focus on my football and try to play my best football here at Chelsea. I love to play football, that’s why I’m here and I will try my best.’
The system and style of the 2020/21 Chelsea has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, with Havertz’s arrival following the signings of fellow front players Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner in this summer window.
After starting from the right on the South Coast, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek central and Mason Mount from the left behind striker Werner, Havertz reflected on how his own versatility could be a useful tool for Lampard this term. It is a common trait for many of our attackers to be comfortable playing in a variety of positions, which should aid the fluidity and flexibility of the team’s attacking strategy.
‘I’ve played in every offensive position for Leverkusen - as a right-winger, number 10, number 6, number 8 and sometimes as a striker as well so for me it’s very important to have that flexibility on the pitch and to be creative,’ Havertz continued.
‘Those are the things that I like to do. I can play many positions but for me my best position is as a number 10. Of course, I can play off the right side as well or as a striker but to be honest I’m just happy to be on the pitch.’
Read: Honigstein on Havertz's versatility and personality
Chelsea fans will be hopeful that Havertz can strike up a strong relationship with his compatriot Werner, who also made his debut this week albeit having linked up with his new team-mates much earlier in the summer following the conclusion of the Bundesliga season.
The pair have played together previously with the German national team, although their time together on the field has been brief and Havertz is keen to develop a stronger understanding with the striker at Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks and months.
‘I’m very happy that Timo is here,’ he added. ‘I met him first in the national team in Germany and now we are friends so I think we will have a good German connection in the team now.
‘We haven’t played so many games together, just one or two in the national team and now one game for Chelsea, but I’m very excited to play more with him.
‘He’s a big friend of mine and when you have a friend in your team it’s always easier to play football. I’m looking forward it and I think we will do well.’