Liverpool transfer news: Timo Werner was an unnecessary risk

Liverpool have been pipped at the post for Timo Werner.

Timo Werner has been on Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp’s radar for at least two years. He has courted the player openly and in back channel discussions until last fall when Liverpool announced their intent to sign Werner in the transfer window upcoming in the summer of 2020. The clubs and player were in agreement.

So everyone began talking up Timo to the Reds. He would wait ’til summer to complete a long awaited move to Liverpool and the EPL.

Then the global pandemic hit and football was suspended. In the interim, talks between Liverpool, Leipzig and Werner began to hit snags. The £54 million release clause became a stumbling block.

Other clubs started to show real interest. Chelsea, in the market for a world class striker, began courting Werner, with their connection to German football in the person of Antonio Rudiger.

It was announced yesterday that Timo Werner will sign with Chelsea this summer.

I have watched this young man progress in these past four or five seasons, and he is a talented and gifted athlete. I understand Klopp’s desire to manage such young talent. He is quick a foot, has a head for the game, and has adapted his positional play to such an extent that he is one of the most sought after young forwards in today’s game.

But I feel there are better choices for forwards that match Liverpool’s style and intensity a lot closer to home. And they are proven successes in the EPL.

Something that remains to be seen regarding Werner.

It will take him at least a season to adjust to the playing environment in the EPL, which is a class above the Bundesliga.

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Christian Pulisic speaks English and has had a spotty start to his EPL career at Chelsea, since coming over from Dortmund. Expecting anything more from a Werner transfer is largely just wishful thinking.

Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez at Wolves are far better values for the money, and given my druthers I would take Jimenez without batting an eye. Anyone thinking Timo Werner will light up the EPL like an Aubamayang will be disappointed.

At his current level of development, he is a forward who can provide a dozen goals a season realistically. With a Harvey Elliott or Harry Wilson on the books already, Werner is an unnecessary risk that Liverpool will be thankful they passed on.

At best, he would be an understudy to Roberto Firmino, since he would not replace Sadio Mané on the left wing. This is why Klopp told him in his last phone conversation that it would be better if he waited another year, and come to Liverpool in the summer of ‘21.

Divock Origi already fills this roll and the upgrade to Werner just isn’t justifiable money-wise in this current situation. It is hard to imagine Arsenal selling on Aubamayang; but if there is any truth to these rumors coming out of north London, the Reds should pounce.

This is an upgrade that is worthy of the mouthwatering speculation that has surrounded Timo Werner these many months.

Jadon Sancho at Dortmund would be a far better fit for Liverpool than Werner. Sancho can play in three positions while Werner’s role is limited and lacking as anything other than a false nine.

Once again FSG prove they are playing a long game and are not wont to jump at short sighted signings, or big name transfers that make poor economic sense in the long run. Or by attempting to sign players that would find a difficult fit with this current Liverpool side.

As long as Liverpool have the front three, the most feared strike force in club football, it will be difficult to find suitable replacements with the class of skill sets required who are also willing to play second fiddle to Mané, Firmino, and Salah.

Next. Gérard Houllier’s 40 Liverpool signings ranked and rated – who’s the worst?. dark

I know a hundred clubs who would be over the moon to have this ‘problem’.

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