Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kia Havertz has explained where he sees his best position on the pitch, amid speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea in recent.
According to The Mail, claims Chelsea have stepped up their interest by opening talks for the £89million-rated star, who described as technically-gifted, two-footed midfielder who is comfortable with the ball on either foot and adept with his head.
And if the Blues are successful in their attempt to sign the 20-year-old creative midfielder, boss Frank Lampard has already been told how he could get the best from the German.
‘I would say the No.8 position, inside right,’ Havertz said in an interview with Marca in November. ‘I’m not a classic No.10, but I like to have the ball at my feet, simply enjoying myself on the pitch. ‘I’ve played in many other positions, but I prefer to play in the centre, where I have more of the ball. My dream will always be to wear the No.10 one day at my club.
‘There are many players that inspired me like Kaka, Zidane, Ronaldinho… They’ve always been my idols. Between the Spanish players, my favourite is Andres Iniesta. He’s outstanding on the ball. Unique. I like him the most.
‘Toni Kroos is a great player, I model myself on him a lot. His journey has been great. I have a lot of respect for him. His passing ability and his combination play is on another level. ‘In [Germany] training, every pass from him is perfect. It doesn’t matter how they give it to him.’
He added: ‘I’m at a point where I don’t care if I give an assist, score a goal or make a key pass. ‘Right now, I have a role at Bayer to try to make the final pass, and not only be a goal-scorer. But I would say that I’m a dangerous player… and that I like to score goals.’
Kai Havertz’s admission that he prefers to play as a number eight gives Frank Lampard the potential to field the German in an extremely attacking line-up including Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.