Kai Havertz's popularity among Chelsea supporters continues to grow with every passing game.
The 22-year-old, who signed for the Blues in the summer of 2020 for a whopping £72million from Bayer Leverkusen, started off slowly at Stamford Bridge following the big-money move from Germany.
Frank Lampard, the man who brought him to west London, called on the supporters to show patience with Havertz - who came to a new country as a young player which is never easy, but with the Covid-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns to contend with, it was made even more difficult for the young German attacker.
Lampard said this last December: "In the modern day there is going to be criticism for every player of every club who loses a game.
"We should be patient with Havertz from the Chelsea end because he is a top-quality talent who has come into this league. He can play in any position across the front three and he has played on the right countless times before he played for Chelsea.
"That's not an issue. He can do that. But we do have to be patient. Not just him, but any young player with the speed of the Premier League. I've got no problems with Kai.
"I said that last week and if people want to criticise him, jump straight down - just wait and give the young player time, whether it be a week, a month, six months or a year. I know the player he's going to be."
Havertz has arguably played his best football at Chelsea when being used in the 'false nine' position - dropping deep from the centre-forward role and getting involved in the interplay - while offering the Blues something different when inside the box.
And, speaking in May 2021, Havertz admitted that he sees the false nine role at Chelsea as his "perfect position".
"I just enjoy the position right now because I feel very good there," the Germany international told Chelsea's official website. "I have a lot of fast strikers next to me right now, so that’s very nice and I think it’s the perfect position for me.
"I can be dangerous in the box, I can have the ball a lot and that is what I like, so right now it’s very nice for me in this position.
"I think the first year wasn’t very easy for me but I think I’m getting better and better, getting more confidence."
Havertz was deadly in front of goal on Saturday afternoon as the youngster netted twice for Chelsea in their comfortable 4-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Chelsea's No. 29 peeled off his marker towards the back post to score his first with a fine guided header into the bottom corner, and he then doubled his tally with a poacher-type finish inside the six-yard box.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star once again proved his ability to score different type of goals for the Blues, proving Lionel Messi right, who included him in his top 15 young players in world football back in 2020.
On his decision to include Havertz on his leaderboard, Messi said: "His composure in front of goal is so impressive for such a young player."
It is huge praise from someone like Messi, proving just how much potential Havertz has as his stock at Chelsea continues to rise.
The Blues are in next in action on Thursday evening as they make the trip to struggling Norwich City, but it would not be surprising at all if Thomas Tuchel opted with Romelu Lukaku and rested Havertz for the weekend's clash with Newcastle United.
