RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
According to Daily Star, Chelsea are keen on signing RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner this summer.
The in-form German goal-scorer has been a target for many other top clubs including Chelsea’s premier league rivals Liverpool.
However, it remains to be seen if the European champions are in a position of strength to lure the in-form man, unlike Chelsea, where he could be a regular starter.
Liverpool already have the likes of star forwards Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in their attack. If at all a move materialises, Werner will face strong competition from the three and will have to fight for his place given their current form.
Meanwhile, in Chelsea, Werner could be guaranteed of a starting role despite Tammy Abraham, Michy Batshuayi, and veteran Oliver Giroud in the mix. Moreover, Liverpool play with three attacking forwards, who are all known for their goal-scoring prowess.
Chelsea, on the other hand, who play under manager Frank Lampard, also prefer a 4-3-3 setup, however, the two wide forwards enact more of a winger’s role unlike in Liverpool’s case.
No wonder young forward Tammy Abraham leads the top-scorers chart for Lampard’s side with 13 goals to his credit. Most of the goals have come from Tammy’s boot or from a player featuring as a traditional centre forward – like Giroud in recent games.
Despite being snubbed earlier, veteran striker Giroud has also finally come under the spotlight, finding the back of the net twice in his last three league games. This gives us a picture of the role of a central striker under Lampard.
Meanwhile for leaders Liverpool, all three frontmen have been in top-form, with Salah leading the charts with 16 goals, closely followed by Mane at 14 and Firmino (8) respectively. The three have been irreplaceable in the last few years given their on-field displays. Having said that, it remains to be seen what type of role Werner could fulfil in such a side.
Moreover, in Chelsea’s case, the fatigue seems to have taken over. Tammy Abraham has been preferred more over the experienced Giroud and Batshuayi by Lampard this season.
Though he started off well, the 22-year-old seems to have lost his goal-scoring form and is currently out until April due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Batshuayi has clearly fallen down Lampard’s pecking order after failing continuously in front of goal.
The Belgian has managed just one goal so far despite appearing 16 times. Even Giroud, who was not offered as many chances, has managed two from nine league matches. What makes Chelsea a more preferred destination for Werner is the fact that he can play in the West London club not just as a striker but as a winger too.
With the Blues’ two wingers – Pedro and Willian already past their 30s and their contracts set to expire this summer, Chelsea also require experienced wingers in their attack.
Chelsea have two other wingers in Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi, however, both are still young and currently out injured. This is where the 24-year-old Werner could come in, having played as a winger on numerous occasions.
Also, there is no questioning his talent as he is currently the second-highest goal-scorer in Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski. Werner has so far scored 21 times from a total of 25 league appearances.
To date, he has played 150 matches for the German outfit and has scored 88 goals and 39 assists, which speaks volumes about his vast talent and potential.
With Tammy still young, scoring boots missing for Batshuayi and Giroud already past his prime, Werner could be a great addition to Lampard’s side.
Moreover at Chelsea, Werner could easily be the favoured first-choice striker, given that he is a proven goalscorer than Abraham, which may not be the case with Liverpool. Hence, Chelsea should keep close tabs on him and try to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
