Three big questions: Chelsea’s Timo Werner and simply scoring
By Travis Tyler
Chelsea’s second signing of the summer came as somewhat of a surprise but Timo Werner is more than welcome. What questions should be asked of him?
It was known Chelsea was looking for a striker to help supplement Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham, but few would have expected such a clear stand out starting choice as Timo Werner. The German striker is one of the game’s best kept well known secrets. Liverpool wanted him but couldn’t afford it and Chelsea swooped in. What can the Blues ask about the German ahead of the new season?
1. How will this work with Tammy Abraham?
Last summer, Tammy Abraham was linked to a move away to Aston Villa. Had there not been a transfer ban, it is highly likely that he would have departed for the Birmingham club or elsewhere permanently.
But the transfer ban allowed Frank Lampard (and the club as a whole) the opportunity to finally test their academy production on the big stage. Abraham was just one of many that passed the test with flying colors.
That being said, his form did start to trail off in the winter. Then he became injured and he was unable to reestablish himself as a starter over Olivier Giroud after the Covid break. In the meantime, Chelsea went out and signed Werner.
Initially, it may have looked as though Werner would line up on the wing and Abraham central. But Abraham’s dip in form, coupled with Christian Pulisic’s explosive rise into form, quieted that notion. Now it looks clear that the American will go left as the German steps in centrally.
There will of course be plenty of matches to go around for the two strikers. In some instances, the two could even line up together. But it will be a difficult balancing act for Lampard. He will want to use his best players, but he also will not want to risk Abraham’s development or risk him getting itchy feet.
Whether Lampard tries two up top, puts Werner wide, or just makes sure to get the rotation balanced correctly will be seen throughout the course of the season. It will not be an easy task for the English manager with so much talent in the squad and so much more entering it.