FRANK LAMPARD’S pull power and transfer guru Marina Granovskaia being the best in the business was the combined factor of Kai Havertz joining Chelsea.
It is absolutely undeniable; Lampard IS the main attraction for new players joining Chelsea.
Kai Havertz has started training with ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The playmaker joined Chelsea in an initial £62m dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, and Havertz all revealed how a conversation with Lampard convinced them to sign.
It’s easy to see why – these players grew up falling in love with the sport and watching the best players in the world at the time.
When they turn professional themselves and get the opportunity to work under their idol, it is a no brainer for them.
Lampard presents himself perfectly; he is a respectful gentleman who is clearly building an exciting project at one of the most famous clubs in world football.
Whilst he is still very new and fresh as a coach, you can already see the type of football that he is coaching and wants to play.
He wants free-flowing and fluid attacking football – this is appealing for any player.
The Havertz saga finally ended this week and the excitement and attention now turns to where the German international will fit in Lampard’s eleven.
I have it on good authority that Lampard is looking to build his setup this season around a holding midfielder, with two attacking number 8s ahead of him.
Lampard is the main attraction for the world’s top talentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
I expect Lampard will see his strongest midfield three as N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount ahead of him in the deeper number 8 role, then Havertz playing with slightly more freedom to push on more.
Off the pitch though, it is Chelsea director Granovskaia who deserves all the praise.
It had been worked on for a very long time, and Granovskaia is known for her tough negotiation skills.
To land the most highly-rated young talent in world football for an initial fee of around £62million is ludicrous.
Even with the add-on bonuses, his price will not top the £72m club-record transfer fee they paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga two years go.
This is some incredible business from Granovskaia and she is getting better and better as the years go on – which is a scary prospect for her rivals.
Marina Granovskaia, right, is working wonders in the transfer windowCredit: Getty – Contributor
Chelsea have already enjoyed a top class transfer window. But talk of a Premier League title may just be a little bit premature this season.
Lampard will be expected to close to gap on Premier League Champions Liverpool of course, and a domestic trophy will be a real goal.
But with all the new players coming in they will need a period of gelling together and learning the system that Lampard is building.
There will be more of a focus on conceding fewer goals, more consistency in performances, and more finesse in front of goal this season rather than winning the league title.
But little by little, Chelsea and Lampard are building something that will conquer the world.
Go behind the scenes as Kai Havertz becomes Chelsea’s sixth signing of the summer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
