Chelsea appear to have made up for their missed summer transfer window last year as they look set to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig in a five-year deal.
The west London giants are understood to have agreed to pay the forward’s £54 million release clause after tabling a £200,000-a-week contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until June 2025.
The Germany international, who has netted 25 goals in 29 appearances for Die Roten Bullen this season, has attracted the interest of several European powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool in the last few months.
The Reds were initially believed to be the favourites to sign the RB Leipzig sensation as he had openly voiced his desire to join Jurgen Klopp’s set-up at Anfield a few months ago. However, their refusal to pay the player’s exorbitant release clause in the present climate has left Chelsea with a clear path to his signature.
If the transfer goes through, Werner would become the Blues’ second signing for the next campaign after they signed Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in a £37-million deal back in February.
With all that in mind, we take a look at three ways in which Chelsea can line up with Timo Werner next season:
#1 As a left-winger in a front three
The 4-3-3 formation has been Frank Lampard’s favourite set-up all season, which means Timo Werner would likely be deployed on the left side of a front three, with either Tammy Abraham or Olivier Giroud up front and Hakim Ziyech on the right flank.
This set-up would be ideal for the 24-year-old as it would make it easier for him to adapt to his new team. This is primarily because he is quite familiar with the role, having been predominantly utilised as a wide forward by Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig.
Both Ziyech and Werner also boast of possessing lightning pace, which would make them incredibly dangerous on the counter-attack and would cause big trouble for opposing defenders.
#2 As wing-back support in a 3-4-3 formation
This formation would present Timo Werner with a little more freedom in his attacking movements alongside Hakim Ziyech and Tammy Abraham, as he would receive defensive support from Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta, who would move from the back-line into the wing-back positions.
This system will see Azpilicueta make forward runs to allow Werner to freely move around the pitch in an inside-forward role. This will also facilitate a great partnership between the Germany international and Abraham, who is the main striker in this set-up, as the two players could link-up and achieve rich dividends in the final third.
#3 As the main striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation
Timo Werner would normally be deployed on the left flank in a 4-2-3-1 formation but he could also walk into the set-up as the main striker. Either Callum Hudson-Odoi or Christian Pulisic could be deployed on the left wing, with Hakim Ziyech on the right and Mason Mount as the No. 10.
This set-up is more offensive in nature and will allow much flexibility for Frank Lampard, who could utilise this formation in the event of an injury to the regular No. 9, which in this case would be Tammy Abraham. Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud will have to settle for limited game-time in this situation, despite having signed a new one-year contract with the Blues last month.
This formation could also be ideal if Frank Lampard wishes to strike a balance between his big new signings and the ever-improving academy graduates.
Which formation do you think is best suited for Timo Werner at Chelsea? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.