Timo Werner’s intriguing upward trajectory may unexpectedly help Chelsea’s season.
Thomas Tuchel clarified the situation and listed his top priorities for the remaining days of the transfer window. All efforts are now focused on the defense as Chelsea looks to increase the depth of their squad after acquiring Raheem Sterling. Kalidou Koulibaly has finally taken the role of Antonio Rudiger, but Andreas Christensen’s absence hasn’t yet been filled. Blues are presently exploring targets like Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe.
Romelu Lukaku departed from the Blues before the transfer deadline. The upcoming season will see Chelsea without a striker as the 29-year-old was determined to return to Inter Milan. Robert Lewandowski wanted to join Todd Boehly’s Blues, but the Poland international was set on going to Barcelona.
Kai Havertz has served as a false nine for Tuchel on multiple occasions, and he seemed to like this. Timo Werner is one of the possibilities that Tuchel still has, which is fortunate. Werner expressed open dissatisfaction with his limited playing time during the previous season. On the field, the Chelsea manager did not really favor him, but he had displayed development and was given playing time for it. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool had already expressed interest in a possible transfer for the German international, who was expected to leave this summer. Now it appears like he might have a legitimate opportunity to repair his reputation at Stamford Bridge.
Early on Sunday morning, Tuchel and the Chelsea club played Club America in their first preseason game of the summer. Chelsea won 2-1. Werner and Michy Batshuayi, the man who got lost in the crowd, were both on the team. Although they enjoyed playing up front for the Blues, Batshuayi and Havertz were unable to contribute to the scoreboard. Despite being given numerous chances and good opportunities, they lacked the ability to score. Werner was one player who gambled and rode his luck.
In the course of his Chelsea career, the German has frequently faced harsh criticism. In his debut season, he struggled to be consistent in front of goal, which led to the development of a reputation that he has since fought to overcome. He continues to be a fan favorite because of his commitment to giving every game he plays his all.
He was a 30-goal-per-season striker before joining Chelsea, and Chelsea took him away from Liverpool in 2020. Chelsea might feel secure relying on the 26-year-old in the forthcoming campaign assuming he can reproduce his RB Leipzig form for the Blues.
The season’s plans for Thomas Tuchel may also include Michy Batshuayi. The Chelsea head coach gave the following quotes to the media while speaking about his number 9 options there: “We have Kai Havertz and Timo Werner both scoring nines. Let’s see how things pan out. We have Raheem Sterling as a nine, Michy Batshuayi as a nine, and Armando Broja as a nine.”
Three of the five players on Tuchel’s list are natural strikers, and Werner is the only one who has played regularly for Chelsea’s first team. In practically half the minutes he played for club and country in the previous season, he managed 11 goals and 6 assists. There are signs that the striker is making progress, but will they be sufficient to hold down the fort for Chelsea the next year?
