According to a recent report by Bild, Premier League giants Chelsea are said to be keen on hijacking Liverpool’s interest in signing German international speedster Timo Werner from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig this season. It has been suggested that the Blues, alongside English rivals Manchester United, have both opened talks with the forward’s representatives in an attempt to lure the German to the Premier League in the summer.
Liverpool meanwhile, are said to be holding out on an official bid until there’s more clarity on their financial situation, owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report clarifies that the German has a £52m release clause embedded into his current contract at the club. Given Liverpool’s current situation, it perhaps doesn’t come as a huge surprise that Chelsea and Manchester United are both looking to capitalise on the situation at hand.
What Would Timo Werner Add To This Chelsea Side?
The Blues have been on the lookout for attack-minded players right from January, and although they didn’t end up signing anyone during the winter window, Frank Lampard had made his intentions very clear. A potent striker remains the primary objective, as offering stern competition to Tammy Abraham could end up bringing the best out of both the players in question. Moreover, the struggles of players like Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud must also be taken into account.
On the flanks as well, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic could be the only two natural wingers available to Lampard at the start of the next season, with the immediate futures of veteran speedsters Willian and Pedro up in the air at this point. Although Mason Mount and Ross Barkley have often been deployed in the position, the addition of another winger wouldn’t hurt their cause either.
This is exactly where a player like Timo Werner would be an ideal fit. Capable of operating out of the central striker’s role or out on the flank as a winger, the German would provide the Blues with the exact degree of versatility that they have been calling out for this season.
An excellent dribbler of the ball, the Leipzig man’s goalscoring record this season has been commendable. The 24-year-old’s 25 Bundesliga fixtures yielded a stellar record of 21 goals and seven assists, meaning that he tends to provide at least one goal contribution every time he steps onto the pitch.
Why Chelsea Must Beat United And Liverpool To Werner’s Signature
Frank Lampard’s intentions of creating a youthful, high-energy attacking setup at Stamford Bridge has been no secret, and Timo Werner would fit the bill all too well. His finishing abilities when in and around the box will come as a massive asset to Lampard’s side, who were put to the sword by Bayern Munich in their worst display since the Chelsea legend’s takeover as manager. Signing Werner to elevate the London club’s attack line to the next level, thereby enabling smooth functioning across all the other areas of the pitch, is exactly what the fans are calling out for.
