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Werner had a hard time choosing Chelsea over Liverpool

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During his first full press conference as a Chelsea player, Timo Werner revealed the hard time he had choosing between Red and Blue. 

It’s no secret at this point that Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool was willing to pay a lot of money to sign Timo Werner but Chelsea got in the way. The Reds have been hesitating quite a bit during the transfer window when it comes to pulling the trigger on several players.

They didn’t just fail with Werner but they are also about to lose their chance to sign Thiago Alcantara. There is a certain lethargic way of doing things at the club right now. Nobody knows if it’s because they don’t want to spend too much money or some other reason.

But Timo Werner just confirmed he was really close to becoming a Liverpool player. The whole negotiation stalled and Frank Lampard didn’t waste any time trying to convince him. The German striker was sold due to the massive interest the Blues showed in his talents. 

“Yes, I think when I decided to leave Leipzig I talked to different clubs, and next to Chelsea I spoke to other clubs,” said Werner at a press conference via Goal.

“For me, I don’t want to talk too much about other clubs. Of course, there are some other clubs like Liverpool have a great team. Maybe I could fit in with other teams but, in the end, I decided Chelsea because it was the best decision I could take. Not only the style of football but because of what they have shown to me.

“Yes, it was a hard decision in the end but I am very excited, proud, and happy I decided this. Now I am here for maybe two months, it feels right, good and the team is brilliant. We have some very good but calm and nice players.

“It is fun to play at Chelsea, be part of the team, and be part of what we start here. We can do very well with this team in the next few months and years.”

Lampard’s role in Werner’s decision.

The one winner from all this Liverpool fiasco was Frank Lampard, the slickest one in the room. The English manager decided to not waste any time and remained in contact with the striker at all times. That interest is what eventually convinced Timo that his place was with Chelsea and not Liverpool. 

“Lampard called me a lot, we had a lot of conversations, he texted me a lot and he sent me some videos where he could show me what style of football he wants to play with me in it,” added Werner.

“So for me, those were important things to know about moving to a new club. Because I loved to play for Leipzig and everything was well for me there so it was really important for me to come to a team with a vision that fits my style of football.

“I think the whole Premier League fits very well with my style of football, because it’s so fast, and fast players have a really good space to go there and play well. It was really important that he gave me the feeling that the system he wants to play will fit me very well.

“The conversation with him was also really important, he’s a very nice and calm guy, who makes it clear what he wants and what his football style is and he makes it clear that you’re not only a player but also a person. He doesn’t see you as only a footballer and that’s important for me.”

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