Chelsea-focused journalist Simon Johnson appeared on a recent edition of the ‘Football Today’ podcast to discuss Timo Werner’s decision to join the Blues instead of Liverpool.
As per the BBC, Chelsea have secured the signing of Germany international Werner on a five-year deal. This report goes on to explain that the 24-year-old attacker will join up with the Blues in July following the conclusion of the 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign.
This transfer news may cause some disappointment for Liverpool fans. Werner had been heavily linked with a move to Anfield of late, with German publication Sport Bild publishing an article in late May which revealed that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp had held a ‘virtual meeting’ with the striker. This report also quotes journalist Raphael Honigstein as claiming that there was a “very big” chance that the striker could move to Anfield.
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However, as we now know, that isn’t what transpired and the attacker has penned a deal with Chelsea instead.
Johnson discussed this transfer saga during his recent appearance on the Football Today podcast. He said of Werner: “He wanted to go to Liverpool, that was his first choice. Basically, if Liverpool could agree a deal with RB Leipzig, he was going to Liverpool.
“It didn’t matter who else was going to come in for him, whether they agreed a clause, etc, etc. He wanted to go to Liverpool. So, when Liverpool dropped out, it was like an open goal for Chelsea to come in and basically take him from Anfield to Stamford Bridge.
“As it turned out, Liverpool basically just don’t have the funds.”
The journalist went on to shed some light on Chelsea’s pursuit of Werner.
Johnson revealed that: “Chelsea had been keen on him for months. I’m led to believe he was Frank Lampard’s number-one target to improve the frontline from a very early stage in the season, but they were aware that they faced incredible competition, obviously, mostly from Liverpool.”
He then goes on to explain that when it appeared as though the player was destined for Anfield, Chelsea began to consider other options, until it became apparent that the Reds had pulled out of the deal, at which point Johnson claims: “The club itself went into operation in terms of doing the deal on the financial side, meanwhile, Frank Lampard, just like Jurgen Klopp, was on the phone to Timo Werner, selling him Chelsea Football Club.”
Were you convinced that Werner would join Liverpool?YES
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TIF Thoughts…
Judging by Johnson’s comments, it appears as though Liverpool had Werner, who has scored 26 Bundesliga goals this season, in their grasp until the club decided to pull out of the deal due to an alleged lack of funds. It appears as though this is what led to the striker then making the decision to join the Reds’ Premier League rivals, Chelsea.
With that in mind, it may be understandable if some Liverpool fans are annoyed by this update.