Timo Werner had a pretty tricky first season at Chelsea – he scored goals and got assists and played some good games along the way, but ultimately he didn’t end up being the striker solution the club were looking for, and a year after buying him they spent a club record fee on Romelu Lukaku, which tells you everything you need to know.

Injury aside, this season has seen Werner carry on roughly where he left off under Thomas Tuchel last year – a dangerous option playing on the left wing or as second choice up top, always proving a useful option

So far he seems happy with that, but Fabrizio Romano’s interview with TalkChelsea reveals Chelsea may have a decision to make next summer.

“I think Timo Werner is not a plan B. He is a top striker, who didn’t have a fantastic first season in the Premier League with Chelsea,” the transfer guru explained, hinting that he might not always be happy as second choice.

“I think there are chances for Chelsea for Timo Werner to leave Chelsea next summer. I’m not sure yet, because we are in November so we will see what happens. Also because Werner, I’m told, is super professional, so he’s not going to create any problems. He trains at the top level. I say there are chances because of the “striker dominoes.” You mention Haaland – let’s see what happens with Lewandowski. If Bayern want to continue with him and extend his contract, and if he wants to stay there or to try something new. We know that Man City will need a central striker. Let’s see what happens with Harry Kane. But I also think Barcelona will go for a central striker to resolve the situation with Sergio Aguero. Mbappe’s deal with Real Madrid – PSG have to sign a new striker if Mbappe leaves. Juventus will go for a new striker, Inter want to sign a new striker. So it’s a very big domino effect. This is why I think into this domino, particularly for German clubs, Timo Werner could be an interesting opportunity.”

It’s interesting to see that Romano notes the fact that a lot of strikers – including Robert Lewandowski – could move this summer, leaving a lot of teams in the market for forwards.

His mention of Werner being an opportunity for “Germany clubs” – perhaps Bayern post-Lewandoswki or Dortmund post-Haaland – seems a hint that a return to his homeland could be on the cards for Werner.

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