Lampard reveals how Werner helped him sign Havertz

Frank Lampard revealed the role Timo Werner played in Chelsea’s capture of the high-coveted Kai Havertz.

Lampard has overseen a massive squad overhaul ahead of his second season in charge of Chelsea, with Werner and Havertz his most expensive and arguably most exciting recruits of the current transfer window.

The capture of Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in a club-record deal of €80m was indeed a real coup. The 21-year-old had no shortage of admirers, but ultimately settled on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Werner, meanwhile, joined the Blues on a staggering €53m deal from RB Leipzig after another prolific season in the Bundesliga. He headed to London in mid-summer and trained with his new teammates before their 2019/20 campaign finished. Thus, it gave him a chance to get acquainted with the squad.

🗣"I am very excited to play with him, he is a big friend of mine and if you have a friend in your team it is easier to play football, we will do well!"

Chelsea new signing Kai Havertz on playing with Timo Werner pic.twitter.com/GCdAGyPIvQ

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 17, 2020

But while the striker couldn’t contribute on the pitch itself, he had a hand in the club’s pursuit of Havertz. It turns out Lampard sought him for his opinion on his fellow German and was left impressed by Werner’s input.

“I was able to have some conversations with Kai after the buying process happened, or whatever you want to call it,” Lampard told reporters in a press conference on Zoom as quoted on the Daily Star.

“I did as much watching of him as a player as I could, and by that time Timo had arrived at the club, and Timo and Kai are pretty close so I could obviously ask Timo a lot about him, them playing in the national team together.

“So we had very good background on him.

“But again I was very struck in those conversations with him about his humility, and how he is as a person which I love.

“I love the humility in players who come with the idea they just want to improve and become a success.

“And I know he has great talent. I’ve seen that in the first week that he’s been here.”

Werner and Havertz had mixed debuts in Chelsea’s opening day 3-1 win over Brighton in the Premier League. Despite not scoring a goal, the former impressed overall. The latter, however, hadn’t settled into his new surroundings yet amid a rare below-par display.

“I think it’s important to be clear that before the Brighton game Kai Havertz had trained for four or five days and two or three of those were a build-up to a game so you can’t work that hard,” said Lampard.

“Fitness levels for Kai were difficult. They are only going to get better and get better quickly.

“I’ve seen lots of his talent and have no doubt the impact he will have as a Chelsea player.”