German star closes in on Chelsea deal

WHEN Timo Werner seals his imminent move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea, the German’s turbulent rise from national pariah to one of Europe’s most feared forwards will be complete.

Chelsea is willing to meet the 60million-euro (US$67 million) release clause in Werner’s contract despite the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

But for the pandemic, Werner could have been lining up for Liverpool next season after the 24-year-old admitted he was flattered by Jurgen Klopp’s interest.

However, Liverpool, concerned by the financial fallout from the virus, wasn’t willing to pay Werner’s release clause before it expired this month.

Instead, Chelsea is set to add some much-needed firepower to Frank Lampard’s revamped attack next season.

The German national has scored 31 goals for Leipzig this season, including four in five games since the Bundesliga returned last month.

Werner has already proved he can cause headaches for Premier League defenses. He played an influential role as Leipzig thrashed Tottenham in the Champions League, scoring the only goal of the tournament’s first leg from the penalty spot.

Michael Ballack knows exactly what it takes to shine in the Premier League after leaving Germany, and the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder believes Werner has the qualities required to adapt to English football.

“I think it’s a good decision for both sides, because Timo fits there and the way Chelsea plays football suits him,” Ballack said. “He’s a robust player, very fast, but he is also physically good in a duel and will quickly get used to it.”

The fanfare around Werner comes just two years after his reputation had taken a major hit due to World Cup misery and diving accusations.

That storm was a far cry from Werner’s humble upbringing in Stuttgart, where his father Guenther Schuh played at the amateur level.

Mario Gomez, an icon in Stuttgart, was Werner’s hero as a child and fuelled his dreams of playing for his hometown club.

He fulfilled that ambition in 2013, becoming Stuttgart’s youngest player ever at age 17, and their youngest scorer when he netted three times in his first 10 appearances.

He earned the nickname “Turbo Timo” due to his electric pace, which he attributes to running up mountains with his father as a child.