Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Chelsea striker Timo Werner. (imago Images)
It’s been two years since Timo Werner moved from RB Leipzig to Chelsea and despite having won the Champions League and Club World Cup, the German is yet to nail down a place in the starting XI.
In Werner’s first season, he scored 12 goals and a lot was said about how adapting to the Premier League is not as easy and that we could expect better from him the season after. That didn’t turn out to be the case, as the pacy forward scored one fewer.
In many ways, the second season was worse than the first. It had something to do with the botched arrival of Romelu Lukaku, who didn’t do any better than him but nonetheless, took away minutes from Werner that he otherwise would be getting.
Kai Havertz’s ability to play as a ‘false 9’ coupled with Mason Mount and one of Christian Pulisic/Hakim Ziyech/Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right meant that Thomas Tuchel had plenty to choose from besides Werner.
Liverpool were strongly linked with Werner before he arrived at Chelsea and his out-of-favour status has presented them an opportunity to pursue him again. According to Football Insider (h/t Football London), Reds boss Jurgen Klopp sees his lightning-quick compatriot as a perfect fit for his style of play.
With arrivals expected this summer, Werner’s minutes under Tuchel are likely to be reduced even more unless there is an undeniable turn-around right out of the gate, starting with pre-season.
The Athletic had previously reported that the club is open to the idea of entertaining offers for their No. 11 but it’s likely going to take a substantial figure – probably close to what Chelsea paid for him in 2020, to prise him away.
However, Chelsea should in no way allow Werner to leave for a title-challenging rival and the new Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capitals administration will be well aware of that.
Werner, despite his lack of goals up front, has attributes in his game – most notably his blistering pace, that has proved valuable to Chelsea in the past and could be so once again if utilised to his strengths.
The 26-year-old was also linked with a return to former club Leipzig and was in the discussions for a potential swap deal for Christopher Nkunku, but the Frenchman signed a new contract until 2026 earlier today – which effectively rules out Werner’s homecoming this window at least.
It does seem premature to cash in on him this window itself unless we are made an offer that is too good to refuse.
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