Chelsea manager Frank Lampard expressed his delight at signing the ‘hugely talented’ Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
The Blues yesterday confirmed a £48million deal for the 24-year-old Germany international, who will link up with Lampard’s side in July.
Werner, who had also been on Liverpool’s radar, has scored 32 times all competitions for RB Leipzig this season to enhance his reputation as one of the best attacking prospects in Europe.
“I did speak to Timo, and he was excited, which is great. I’m certainly excited to have him here,” said Lampard.
“The talent I think Timo has, the work ethic, his personality and humility actually, really shone through for me, when speaking to him.
“So I’m very excited to have him in all senses.
“He’s clearly a player that we liked. I’ve certainly followed him for a long time myself, individually just as a talented player, even before I had this job.
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“He’s got huge talent, had a fantastic season this year but before that as well.
“We were very clear about the fact we wanted to improve. And Timo Werner is always a signing that will improve us.”
Before Werner arrives, Chelsea must hang on to Champions League qualification as they restart their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Lampard addressed a host of other topics as the Blues gear up for their first competitive match in three months…
What’s the latest on talks regarding Willian and Pedro’s contracts?
“As a club, obviously, if we are trying to extend players for that period we want them to stay.
“As is well documented we have a couple of players in that situation and we have until next week to find a solution, hopefully.
“It would be great for us, obviously, to finish this campaign with the players we started it with and with the quality players we are talking about.”
How does Tammy Abraham feel about Timo Werner’s arrival?
“I have spoken to Tammy before on the idea of competition and I don’t feel the need to have to address every player after one comes in at a club like Chelsea, because that’s what it is about.
“It has been about that in its most successful years in recent years, in the Roman Abramovich era mainly.
“Tammy has had a really good season for us and he has to sustain and improve on that because at Chelsea we have demands.
“I am happy to have options and we have options in forward areas and we must have competition for places. I am pleased with the idea of that.”
How will Chelsea play?
“We have to go full throttle no matter what game it is in terms of giving it everything.
“It won’t be easy but we need to be focused and be at our best.”
Are Chelsea prepared?
“We’ve trained really well and had some friendlies but nothing replicates the Premier League.”
Excited to come up against Villa assistant and former Chelsea teammate John Terry?
“We’re always in contact and it’s good to go up against him.
“I have huge respect for him as a friend but we both have big things at stake.”
