Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has openly praised Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta for his exceptional work in getting the best out of Kai Havertz. Lampard, who managed Havertz during his time at Chelsea, acknowledged the challenges the German international faced at Stamford Bridge and took some responsibility for his less impressive performances.
Kai Havertz joined Chelsea in the summer of 2020 with high expectations, following a big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Havertz struggled to consistently perform at his best. Lampard, who was Chelsea’s manager at the time, admitted that the transition to the Premier League was tough for the young forward. “Kai is a fantastic talent, but adapting to a new league, especially one as demanding as the Premier League, is never easy,” Lampard said. “I take some responsibility for not being able to get the best out of him during his time at Chelsea.”
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Since moving to Arsenal, Havertz has found a new lease of life under Mikel Arteta’s management. Arteta’s tactical expertise and ability to nurture young talent have been pivotal in Havertz’s resurgence. The German forward has been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent successes, including their impressive performances in the Champions League.
Arteta’s faith in Havertz, even during challenging times, has paid off. “He has been unbelievable. His football brain, the way he understands space, his timing, he brings people together,” Arteta remarked after Havertz’s standout performance against Paris Saint-Germain. This season, Havertz has already scored five goals, showcasing his growing confidence and importance to the team.
Lampard’s acknowledgment of Arteta’s role in Havertz’s development is a testament to the respect he holds for the Arsenal manager. “Mikel has done a fantastic job with Kai. He’s given him the confidence and the right environment to thrive,” Lampard stated. “It’s great to see Kai performing at such a high level now.”
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