Chelsea forward Timo Werner will depart the club after two seasons

Timo Werner is set to leave Chelsea this transfer window, and it is difficult to pin-point where things went wrong for the German international. Werner had all the traits to be successful, and yet, nothing ever clicked between the managers, the tactics and the player. Despite his best efforts, all of his hard work and his continued professionalism, Werner’s time at Stamford Bridge cannot be considered a success. However, his case is a particularly interesting one as it cannot be deemed a failure either.

When Chelsea signed Timo Werner from RB Leipzig in 2020, there was promise of a player who could revitalize the attack. There was hope that the Blues had finally found a permanent goalscorer. Excitement built as Chelsea had seemingly finally added a quick and lethal forward capable of breaking the opposition’s defense. Yet, none of it came to fruition. Regardless of the manager, the formation or the tactics, Werner’s career at Chelsea was impacted by the lack of opportunity, followed by a lack of confidence and ultimately, a lack of productivity on the field. All of these misfortunes created a perfect storm for Werner and doomed his career in London.

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Timo Werner’s Chelsea career is coming to an end after two seasons

It all began under Frank Lampard’s tenure where neither formation nor tactics benefitted Werner. Although Lampard believed in changing things around to improve the overall success of the team, he could not alter everything for just one player. Werner, in turn, had to adjust and change his style to get some minutes on the field. A lot of times he was forced to play as a winger to utilize his speed and counterattacking abilities. This, of course, failed. Even when he played as an out-and-out striker, he had no support as penetrating passes were hardly created, causing his form and confidence to suffer. Toward the end of Lampard’s tenure, Werner’s future was unsettled, but he’d get another chance under Thomas Tuchel.

Under the German coach, Werner almost revived his Chelsea career, but it was too late. Tuchel did what any sensible coach would at the time, change everything about the team. Amongst the many adjustments, there was the attacking tactics. Having Kai Havertz and Werner as the main force and playing as a double false-nine. To be fair, things improved, but Werner’s confidence was all but lost. There were simple chances squandered, there was a lack of creativity on the ball, there was poor control of situations, and even worse, there was poor decision making. It became clear, even if Havertz stumbled into a run of poor form, that he was more a reliable attacking option than his elder German teammate.

None of this was for lack of trying, however. Werner deserves credit for riding out the perfect storm and always trying to produce, even if the situation was hopeless. Chelsea has seen its fair share of incapable strikers and, for one reason or another, they all shared the same ineptitudes: not chasing a ball or making runs, not pressuring the opposition when needed and most important of all, not getting into positions to score. These are all consequences of lack of confidence and insecurities.

Werner, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. His work ethic is, to this day, unquestionable. His determination to make something out of nothing has always been present. He fights for every ball, he makes decent runs and he even aids teammates in whichever way he can. Furthermore, he is a professional through and through. He has hardly complained about his absence on the field, nor has he done unnecessary, unsanctioned and ill-advised interviews that would unsettle the manager and teammates.

Werner was crucial during Chelsea’s Champions League winning campaign and he will be remembered for it. Perhaps his Chelsea career was not a success, considering the high expectations put on him. Surely he could have provided more to the club and possibly made a lasting legacy, but things do not always work as they should, and Werner did his best.

Nevertheless, for his efforts, contribution in the Champions League and outstanding professionalism, he was not a failure. Ultimately, he deserves better than to be a bench player, in a league that suits him, and a chance to be the striker he can be.