Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted he is looking forward to joining up with forward Timo Werner once the German arrives at Stamford Bridge.
Despite trailing Liverpool in the race for his signature, Chelsea swooped in and struck a £47.5m deal to bring Werner to London once the Bundesliga season comes to an end.
Blues fans, @TimoWerner has a message for you!
— Chelsea FC (at ?) (@ChelseaFC) June 18, 2020
(Thanks for the video, @RBLeipzig_EN! ?) pic.twitter.com/DzbmbF83wq
Werner had been on Chelsea's radar since the January transfer window, when a deal proved to be impossible, but Lampard confessed in his pre-match press conference (via the Evening Standard) that he has been a fan of the German since before his arrival at the Bridge last summer.
"He's clearly a player we liked and I've followed him for a long time as a talented player," Lampard said. "He will strengthen us, he's a huge talent and he's had a fantastic season.
"I had good conversations with Timo personally. He understands our project and what we want to do as a club. We're pleased he's decided to come to us and look forward to him joining next season."
The move to bring in Werner has left many people wondering about the future of Tammy Abraham, who is yet to agree to a new contract, but Lampard insisted (via the Daily Mail) that improved competition for places should only be viewed as a positive.
"I have spoken to Tammy before about competition. I don't have to address every player if another one comes in. It's how it has been in the Abramovich era.
"He has been fantastic this season. He has to sustain and improve because at Chelsea we have demands. I am happy to have options and competitions for places."
Finally, fellow striker Olivier Giroud discussed the impending arrival of Werner with The Telegraph, adding: "To win trophies and have good competition, obviously then if you can reinforce the team it’s always a good thing. Obviously, as you know, we couldn’t get new signings in the last two transfer windows, so I think the club just wants to make the team look stronger.
“Ziyech is a very good signing, I think he helps a lot with his qualities, and I think Timo Werner is going to be a very good signing for the club, and it will give more motivation for the strikers.”
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Source : 90min