Is Ziyech responsible for Havertz's problems? Lampard receives a warning

Blues boss Lampard has been warned there is more than what meets the eye regarding Havertz’s struggles in London.

Kai Havertz’s former Bayer Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz believes Hakim Ziyech’s presence on the pitch is hindering the German at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has struggled to get the best out of his €80m summer signing so far. He’s made use of Havertz’s versatility to try him out in several roles in 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations, but is yet to find the ideal position.

The 21-year-old has even been unable to claim a regular starting spot recently, having failed to make the line-up in the club’s last five Premier League games. In fact, Lampard left him on the bench in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Fulham.

“Havertz’s greatest quality lies in the opponent’s box,” Bosz told Dutch outlet VI.

“There he has to come to score goals. At Chelsea, he now also plays further back, because Hakim Ziyech pushes him away.

“Then Havertz does not get enough into the penalty area.”

Ziyech, like Havertz, arrived at Chelsea last summer in a €40m deal from Dutch giants Ajax. The 27-year-old has shown flashes of real promise in London, despite suffering injury setbacks in his Blues career already.

Lampard, meanwhile, has asked for patience with Havertz as the young German gets to grips with English football.