How Werner could derail Nkunku's Chelsea career before it starts

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 19 Jan 2023 08:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Timo Werner rejoined RB Leipzig from Chelsea last summer, where he is once again a teammate of Blues transfer target Christopher Nkunku.

Werner had a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge after arriving in a €53 million deal in 2020, sometimes wowing the crowd with his pace but often leaving them dumbfounded with his finishing.

He returned to Leipzig last summer, having failed to score more than six Premier League goals in a season, for a €33m loss, and has set about recovering his career in Leipzig with nine goals in 16 games in all competitions for the Red Bull-backed club.

READ: How Chelsea could line up with Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku, meanwhile, has exploded since Werner first departed, and had left the Germany forward trailing this season with 17 goals and four assists in 23 games before a knee injury derailed his season and ended his World Cup hopes with France.

Chelsea are expected to complete Nkunku's signing for €60m next summer, but Werner has had more than enough time to get in his ear.

Werner: 'I can tell Nkunku positive and negative'

"I wasn't part of the coach's plan anymore," Werner reflected on his difficulties under Thomas Tuchel, who has since been replaced by Graham Potter at Chelsea. "You have to accept that and find a way to deal with it."

READ: Nkunku and five players Vivell could help Chelsea sign

"I can tell [Nkunku] about both positive and negative experiences, should he make the change. At a club like that, you don't play like you do at RB Leipzig because there's more competition, not just on a sporting level, but also on a different level mentally."

Chelsea are unlikely to thank Werner, and his presence in the Leipzig dressing room is doubly dangerous with the Blues also interested in the club's Croatia World Cup star Josko Gvardiol.

Nkunku and Werner can occupy the same positions, comfiest on the left but also able to lead the line, which might not fill Chelsea fans with too much confidence, but the Frenchman is better on the ball then the German, and these days takes up more dangerous positions.