Werner admits to doubts over Chelsea move after Bayern thrashing

Timo Werner admitted Chelsea’s heavy loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League caused him to have doubts over his transfer.

Werner stirred a flurry of interest from top clubs last season by enjoying his most prolific campaign to date, scoring an impressive 34 goals in just 45 games in all competitions for RB Leipzig. He even chipped in 13 assists.

Despite strong interest from Liverpool, the German settled on a €53m transfer to Chelsea. His conversations with Frank Lampard proved a turning point, with the Blues boss selling him on his interest and plans.

Five more high-profile signings have arrived in west London, including Werner’s Germany teammate Kai Havertz. A deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, meanwhile, is imminent.

Doubts crept in on Werner’s mind, however, after the club’s brutal trashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions knockout them out of the Champions League last-16 stage by a 7-1 aggregate scoreline over a two-legged tie. They won the first leg at the Bridge 3-0 before winning 4-1 in the return fixture.

“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t like that,” Werner told Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk.

“The 3-0 home defeat of Chelsea in the first leg against Bayern hadn’t exactly spoken in favor of going to London.

“I have to say that openly, because with Leipzig we always played very good and close games against Bayern.”

The way Chelsea recovered from the first-leg defeat, however, impressed Werner enough to ease any lingering doubts.

The 24-year-old added: “By showing Chelsea the weak points, the club was able to work on the pieces of the puzzle in order to catch up with the future Champions League winners Bayern. That’s what Chelsea did.”

Werner, who hasn’t scored in his first two appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League, isn’t expected to start in Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash against Barnsley.