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Jamie Carragher questions Frank Lampard’s motives for signing struggling Chelsea star Kai Havertz


Frank Lampard has struggled to get the best out of summer signing Kai Havertz (Picture: Getty)

Jamie Carragher has questioned Frank Lampard’s motives for signing struggling Chelsea star Kai Havertz and fears the club’s headline summer recruit doesn’t fit in to his new manager’s best XI.

The Chelsea manager spent over £200million in the summer and although the likes of Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell, as well as goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, have sured things up at the back, his attacking recruits have failed to fire.

Hakim Ziyech has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with injuries, while Timo Werner and Havertz have failed to adapt to the rigours of the Premier Leauge following their moves from the Bundesliga.

Werner is in the midst of an 11-game drought and was heavily criticised by his manager following the Boxing Day defeat against Arsenal. Havertz, meanwhile, has failed to regain his place following his recovery from Covid-19 and appears to be some way down Lampard’s current pecking order.

Liverpool legend Carragher, writing in the Daily Telegraph, believes Lampard is suffering from having too many options at his disposal.

Both Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have struggled to justify their transfer fees (Picture: Getty)

He said: ‘After an inconsistent run, Frank Lampard has been playing down the idea Chelsea were ever title contenders. Maybe this season was too soon, but although he may not have the best starting XI in England, Frank certainly has one of the strongest squads. I am starting to wonder if he has too many options and that is why he is yet to settle on the right formula.

‘I look at Kai Havertz and wonder if Chelsea really needed to sign him last summer? He is obviously a player of great potential, but it never works buying a player because he is so highly-rated, unless you have a predetermined idea where he will fit into the side.

‘Timo Werner has also taken time to adapt as he is accustomed to playing in a side built to counterattack. Like all the top sides, Chelsea come up against teams with ten men behind the ball so do not get a chance to counterattack.

‘It looks like it will be another year of gradual improvement for Lampard, fine-tuning the formation ahead of a more sustained title challenge next season.’


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