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Chelsea drop interesting hint about where Timo Werner will play in transfer announcement
Chelsea have announced the signing of Timo Werner and also given a hint about which position the German will be deployed in next season.
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Chelsea have completed the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, snapping the German international up on a five-year deal. The Blues agreed to trigger Werner's £53million release clause at the Bundesliga outfit and are reportedly set to pay the frontman £170,00-a-week.
Werner has been prolific for Leipzig this season, scoring 32 goals as well as providing 13 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
The 24-year-old still has two matches remaining this term to improve on those numbers, although he will not play in the rest of Leipzig's Champions League campaign.
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On paper, Werner's arrival looks like bad news for Tammy Abraham with the England international potentially at risk of losing his place in the starting XI.
Abraham has led the line manfully for Chelsea this season, but the 22-year-old has managed just 15 goals in 34 outings - causing manager Frank Lampard to hunt for more firepower.
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His centre-forward berth is therefore at risk following Werner's arrival, although Chelsea's announcement suggests the pair could work together in the same system.
Describing the signing of Werner on the club's official website, a statement read: "One of the most feared young strikers in Europe, Werner is renowned for his pace, movement, link-up play and finishing ability.
"At Leipzig he has most often been deployed in a front two, but he can also play out wide in a front three or as the central striker."
Later, the praise continues: "Werner’s game is built on searing pace and clever moment in the final third.
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"He likes to drift across the frontline creating space for himself and others, and his impressive assist stats - 13 this season, 10 in each of the two prior - prove there is plenty more to his game than just scoring."
Chelsea also reference Werner's international, saying: "He led the line in Russia at both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, with mixed success, and since then has often featured on the left side of a front three as Low seeks to find the best formula for the myriad of talented young attackers at his disposal. In all Werner has played 29 times for Germany and scored 11 goals."
While it is noted that Werner can play centrally, there is particular emphasis on the forward's ability to operate out wide and make space for others.
This will be music to Abraham's ears, with Chelsea often looking most secure when Lampard opts for a 4-3-3 formation.
Werner would be able to line up on the left flank, drifting in to provide the central striker with support.
Therefore, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi could actually be in more danger of restricted game time than Abraham.
Talking about his transfer to Stamford Bridge, Werner said: "I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club.
"I of course want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will forever be in my heart.
"I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans. Together we have a very successful future ahead of us."
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