Timo Werner potentially heading to the North East?
It’s been reported that Newcastle United are interested in taking the German to Tyneside on loan as well as his former club RB Leipzig who are exploring a loan with an option to buy. Both clubs aren’t keen on paying his full £270,000 a week wages however.
Timo’s time in the capital
After arriving in London in the summer of 2020 Chelsea fans thought they had found a deadly attacker who came off of a brilliant 19/20 season with Leipzig netting 34 times in 45 appearances.
However, under Lampard’s management Werner struggled for form, his confidence was low whilst being deployed at first as the lone striker but then began to play out wide on the left. It was clear to see his confidence was shot to pieces as he would more often than not miss an easy chance whereas in Germany he would have put them away in his sleep. Through is lacklustre first season at the Bridge Werner did start in Chelsea’s Champions League final victory and ended his first season in London with 12 goals and 15 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, which aren’t the worst stats in the world but fans did expect a little more from the £50 million man.
Going into his second season Chelsea fans would have been hopeful that he could build on his first season. But unfortunately, due to the depth Thomas Tuchel had in his attack it was rare that he’d get a long enough run in the team to build up any real form. Only managed 4 goals in the league in which 3 came against Southampton across the two games. Yet again he would miss many glaring chances, with majority being harder to miss than score which eventually made fans frustrated after sticking by the German but more importantly leaving Tuchel with a toothless attack.
Chelsea lost 4-0 to Arsenal in a pre-season friendly recently and Tuchel was questioned about his side’s lack of attacking potency to which he replied with; “We have the same players as last year, what do you expect”. Werner played the first half of the game and offered little to no attacking threat whilst looking like a player who is destined for the exit door.
What next for Werner?
New money in the game, Newcastle are very interested as well as RB Leipzing where Chelsea will try and use Werner as part of the deal to bring in Centre Back Josko Gvardiol who has been on their summer shortlist but Leipzig are reluctant to let their star Croatian leave this summer. Werner will hope something can be sorted soon what with the new season commencing next weekend and with his game time cut even shorter with the arrival of Raheem Sterling who will certainly be above him in the attacking pecking order.
