Kai Havertz can become a modern day Johan Cruyff, according to a man who has had a close eye on the German for a number of years.
Chelsea spent £72million – potentially rising to £90m – to bring the youngster to Stamford Bridge this summer from Bayer Leverkusen.
Havertz shone for Leverkusen last season and was linked with a number of European powerhouses, but the current financial state of play played into Chelsea’s hands.
After a quiet start in his opening two Premier League games for Chelsea, the 21-year-old hit a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup thumping of Barnsley.
RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick has seen Havertz develop over the years in the Bundesliga – even trying to sign him from Leverkusen – and said Frank Lampard has got his hands on a real talent.
“I have no doubt whatsoever he will become a sustainable success and that he will be one of the top players in the next two or three years,” Rangnick told Sky Sports.
“Maybe he needs a couple of weeks to get adjusted because like Timo (Werner) he has a fantastic family background – I know that because I was also trying to convince him to join us at Leipzig, but he was completely dedicated to Leverkusen and he could develop with Leverkusen.
“He is one of those players where I don’t see any weaknesses in his kind of football.
“As I said in another interview, he is the type of modern Johan Cruyff – he can score goals, he can give assists, he can come play in centre of midfield and like a 9 or 9 and a half.
“I don’t see him as a winger but in the central area of the pitch he is extremely valuable and I’m sure this transfer will be a success story for the future for Chelsea and for Kai.”
There have been some questions over where Havertz would fit in to Chelsea’s line up and whether Lampard would permanently switch to a 4-2-3-1 to fit him in the No 10 role, or fit him into a 4-3-3.
“I think his best position is either a number 10 or if you play a 4-3-3 he is one of the two offensive number 8’s in midfield,” said Rangnick.
“Very versatile, almost the complete offensive midfielder, he can score goals, give assists, 360 degree radar that when you give the ball to him he knows where he is being positioned in relation to his teammates and his opponents.
“It’s only a question of time until the whole league sees what kind of player Chelsea has signed.”
