Transfer Centre

How Chelsea could line up with Timo Werner

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 04 June 2020

Amid reports that Chelsea have won the race for Timo Werner, Sports Mole looks at how they could line up with the RB Leipzig striker in their ranks.

Chelsea appear to have won the race for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, with reports suggesting that the Germany international has agreed terms over a move to Stamford Bridge.

Werner had been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, while the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid had also been credited with an interest in the free-scoring 24-year-old.

Confirmation of a switch to Chelsea is expected within the next week, though, after Frank Lampard's side triggered the 31-goal striker's release clause.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Blues could line up with Werner in their ranks.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a cataclysmic impact on the transfer window, but signing a player of Werner's pedigree for around £50m will still be seen as good business by the Blues.

The striker will go straight into the Chelsea starting lineup as their main striker, which means that Tammy Abraham may have to settle for more limited game time next season, while Olivier Giroud's first-team chances will also take a hit having only just agreed a new contract.

Indeed, it is set to be all change in the Chelsea front three with out-of-contract duo Willian and Pedro seemingly on their way out this summer.

Lampard's side have already secured the signature of Hakim Ziyech - another example of them doing good business early - and his incredible assist stats combined with Werner's record in front of goal will excite Chelsea fans ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Christian Pulisic provides another wide option in addition to Callum Hudson-Odoi, with Chelsea transforming an ageing front three into one of the most dynamic in the Premier League should they complete the Werner deal.

There are also plenty of options in midfield; Lampard has opted for a three-at-the-back system at times recently, which leaves the likes of N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Jorginho, Billy Gilmour and Ruben Loftus-Cheek battling for two spots.

Reece James will be expected to play an even bigger role next term following a breakthrough campaign, although on the left there has been speculation that Chelsea will also target Ben Chilwell, in which case Marcos Alonso's spot would be under serious threat.

Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori are other options in the middle too, although Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger look likely to be the two first-choice centre-backs in a 3-4-3 system.