Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has warned the critics to lay off Kai Havertz after another disappointing display from the £71million new signing.
The Germany international was withdrawn after 68 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at Everton, the fourth successive game he has been substituted, after failing to have any impact against makeshift left-back Ben Godfrey.
But Lampard has jumped to the defence of the 21-year-old.
'In the modern day there is going to be criticism for every player of every club who loses a game,' said the former Blues midfielder.
'We should be patient with Havertz from a Chelsea end because he is a top-quality talent who has come into this league.
'He can play in any position across the front three and he has played on the right countless times before he played for Chelsea.
'But we have to be patient, particularly with any young player playing in the speed of the Premier League.
'People who want to jump on to criticise (should) just wait and give a young player time. I know the player that Kai Havertz is going to be.'
Lampard was keen to use the loss at Goodison Park as a reality check.
'This will be a challenge for the players,' he added.
'In the Premier League you are going to lose games and it is important to put perspective on it.
'The game was the game. I'm not going to say I learned anything in one game necessarily.'
JeroMob
480
I'm happy Mount has proven us wrong and I wish for Havertz to do the same.
Diekoyz
468
James, Mount, gilmour, pulisic have all improved under lampard. I believe havertz will follow suite
Ken_B
449
Give the lad a break, I seriously don’t understand why most people don’t mind their own business nowadays mostly you that’s reading this comment and you’re not a Chelsea fan. Can you stop drinking paracetamol on top of someone headache! As for you impatience Chelsea fans, you guys need brain surgery I swear! As for Lampard please try please play Havertz in his natural position as CM to pick form before you start playing off position, he struggling for now I think playing his best position will help him pick form. Since Mount can play wing and he already in form shift him to wing and play Havertz in midfield till our natural wingers come back from injury
Fidodo_Junior
383
Drogba wasn’t always one of the best. He improved over time. Lampard wasn’t always one of the best. He improved over time. Havertz will be one of the best, and will improve over time. Seriously weird behaviour to write someone off after three months in England. Chelsea bought KDB at 20, Salah at 21 & Lukaku at 18. Neither made an impact and fans wanted them gone. Chelsea didn't buy Kai Havertz just for this season, they bought him for the next 5 years. Don't make the same mistake of doubting him. Support Kai🙌 Just thinking loud 🤔😉
Andy_Mac
366
I'm glad that Lampard has just said that Havertz has played on the right countless times. Many ignorant Chelsea fans who have never watched Kai Havertz at Bayer Leverkusen claim that he's only a No 10. We signed him for his versatility and he can play in any position in the attacking 4. The only problem is that he's currently not playing well, he's not linking up well with the teammates and he has failed to do the basics right on a consistent basis. Of course, we'll need to be patient with him because there's a quality player in there. Of course, he should be dropped to the bench if we have other wingers available for the time being but while we have no other players available, the only thing we can do is back the player and hope he comes good for the occasion. I think criticism of his performances is fair but not insults and abuse. I've said this with the other players like Tammy and Mount. The players need the support or criticism of fans. However, they don't need our abuse and insults as it demoralises the players.
RaiyanHasib
8
AF please ban those f****** comments and photos, please 😡