The Bundesliga has seen an exodus of young talents leave Germany for pastures-new over the last decade.
But not many have been held in such regard as Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz.
Havertz' career: in numbers.
Since breaking into Lerverkusens first team in October 2016, Havertz has made 148 appearances all before his 21st birthday- a number only bettered by his international teammate Timo Werner.
But in contrast to his now club companion, Havertz has scored 45 goals and assisted 31, the highest total in Bundesliga history.
Following his breakthrough season, Havertz’s 2018-19 campaign was where his talismatic influence really began to shine.
That year, at the age of 19, he contributed to 17 goals and provided 3 assists whilst not missing a single league game.
Since then, the German has only built on these numbers, averaging a goal involvement every 137 minutes this season.
Furthermore, during the past season, Havertz created 57 goal scoring chances from open play, ranking him behind only Thomas Muller who set a new record for assists in a single Bundesliga campaign (21)- beating Kevin De Bruyne’s record set in 2015 during his time at Wolfsburg.
Other than his extradentary goalscoring and assisting numbers, Havertz has shown he can shoulder great responsibility despite his young age, captaining his boyhood club on nine occasions and taking the teams penalties- scoring all 13 that Leverkusen have been awarded.
Sensational numbers for any young striker, let alone a creative midfielder - no wonder comparisons have been drawn between him and his new coach, Frank Lampard.
This may explain why Lampard has been keeping tabs on Havertz ever since he was appointed Blues' boss last July.
A hardworking, commanding, free-scoring midfielder fits the Lampard mould perfectly; something Chelsea fans have sorely missed since their all-time goal scorer departed in 2014.
In the current Chelsea squad, no midfielder has scored more than Havertz’s 29 league goals over the past two campaigns.
Paired with the arrival Hakim Ziyech, who is the only player to create more chances that Havertz in the same period, and forward Timo Werner, it would leave Chelsea with one of the most fearsome attacks in the Premier League.
Not to mention the existing attacking options at Chelsea- Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Oliver Giroud and Mason Mount all capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Where will Havertz fit into Lampard’s line-up?
It was no secret that Lampard was interested in bringing Jadon Sancho to the Bridge following the end of their transfer ban in January, but a change in tact saw the club prioritise a move for Havertz soon after.
One reason for this was the transfer fee. Borussia Dortmund have priced their English superstar upwards of £120 million- a charge Chelsea were unwilling to spend on one player, as they look to address their leaky defensive before the season begins.
Not only is Havertz a more sensible signing financially, but positionally also. Havertz’s versatility in attack and ability to play as a striker will provide support and add a goalscoring threat with his partner up top-as well as cover if Werner, Abraham or Giroud were unavailable for selection.
An eye for goal and good in the air, Havertz will add another dimension to the Chelsea’s front line.
Number ten
In-behind the striker is where Havertz is likely to operate when he makes his move to Chelsea this summer.
At Leverkusen, he has played as one of two attacking midfielders, often paired with Nadiem Amiri or Karem Demirbay, so expect Havertz to link up with Ziyech, Mount or even Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the hole next season.
Plus, if Lampard wants to set his side more defensively switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 formation, Havertz is more than capable to play in a deeper role playing in a midfield three with Mateo Kovavic and N’golo Kante.
Whilst maintaining his licence to roam forward, playing as a lone attacking midfielder will allow Havertz’s to play between the lines and supply his strikers with high-quality goalscoring chances with a plethora of passes in his arsenal.
Chipped passes, racking long balls and exquisite low-driven through balls, Havertz will no doubt help Chelsea unlock defences on the counter.
Down the right
Havertz’s aforementioned adaptability is primarily down to his brilliant off the ball movement and close control under pressure, which will allow Lampard to play the German anywhere in attack.
If Chelsea continue to play with three attackers behind the striker, Havertz could line-up down the right of the three- providing Lampard space to play other attacking options centrally and out on the left.
That being said, Havertz would prefer to play in more central role, with Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic all able to provide an attacking threat from the right flank.
The verdict
Overall, the signing of Kai Havertz is phenomenal for Chelsea.
A player with an already incredibly high football IQ and ability, whilst being coached by one of the best to ever play the same position as him in Lampard, Havertz can go, in the words of Harry Redknapp on his nephew in 1996, "right to the very top".