While the rest of the world has been forced to sit on the hands due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blues have made great strides in the market and look set to confirm a deal to take Timo Werner to Stamford Bridge.
Deal Makers
Frank Lampard has already secured a deal to sign Ajax star Hakim Ziyech for 37 million pounds, wrote the BBC, and will add to his ranks with Werner, who is the third highest goalscorer within the top five European leagues.
They are able to splash the cash while opposing sides are not because of their transfer ban, which meant Chelsea were unable to spend the money brought in from the sale of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid are also due to stump up for Alvaro Morata, too, which has given the Blues a fair amount to play with.
Different Needs
Liverpool, who were also linked with Werner, didn’t spend much back in the summer but they have committed money to major infrastructure works around Anfield and the training ground. They will expand their stadium and build a new complex, all while agreeing new contracts for most of their first choice players.
The sides have different financial imperatives. Chelsea need to improve their squad, the Reds don’t.
Chelsea have spent big to ensure Werner comes to Stamford Bridge. The Sun reported that his initial fee is 54 million pounds, followed by wages of 200,000-pounds-a-week.
Interesting
It’s interesting to note that something that was being assessed as potentially damaging to the Blues has benefited them in more than one way. Lampard has been able to bring through a talented cohort of young players, lead by Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, because they were banned from buying anyone until January.
But they’ve also been able to stockpile their cash and take advantage of a sluggish European market to sign two of Europe’s most exciting attacking forces.
Chelsea fans may look back at this moment as being a game changer, but for none of the reasons they anticipated when the ban was announced.