Football

‘I don’t know what he can’t do’ – Timo Werner full of praise for Chelsea target

January 20, 2023 12:00 pm
‘I don’t know what he can’t do’ – Timo Werner full of praise for Chelsea target

Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner has praised RB Leipzig teammate Josko Gvardiol, who has strongly been linked with a move to the Blues.

Werner spent two years at Chelsea from 2020 to 2022, but couldn’t quite reach the heights he had reached previously at RB Leipzig. He has since returned to the Bundesliga side, where he is playing alongside Gvardiol, one of the most sought-after players in world football.

Werner full of praise for Chelsea target

One European giant that is reportedly chasing the young defender are Chelsea, who have shown they are willing to spend big this month in order to steady the ship at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have already brought in winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, defender Benoit Badiashile, midfielder Andrey Santos and striker David Datro Fofana on permanent deals in the January transfer window, with Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix arriving on loan.

Chelsea are now reportedly closing on the signature of PSV attacker Noni Madueke, with that deal set to take the club’s spending to £468.6m since the start of the summer transfer window.

The likes of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella have all joined the Blues in recent times. And the spending could continue with the signature of centre-back Gvardiol.

But fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly interested in the defender, with Gvardiol’s stock haven risen since his fine displays for Croatia in the 2022 World Cup. His RB Leipzig teammate Werner has now explained just how good a player, and indeed a person, he really is.

When asked by BILD how it is to train regularly with the Croatian, Werner replied: “So it’s not fun (laughs). He can shoot left and right, pass, cross and hit diagonal balls. I don’t know what he can’t do. He’s very fast and at only 20 years old has a body like I’ve never seen before. 

“What I find most important about him: he is incredibly friendly, polite, down-to-earth and therefore completely clear-headed. I can understand why everyone wants him.”

Chelsea

Ex-Chelsea striker advises Nkunku

Gvardiol is not the only RB Leipzig player with strong links to Chelsea, with many reports suggesting that talented forward Christopher Nkunku has already agreed a medical with the Blues.

Werner, of course, has Chelsea experience, and has now offered some advice for the young attacker ahead of a potential move, which could take place in the summer.

“Everyone has to make their own experiences,” said Werner. “I had a very good first year, the second was so-so. 

“I can tell him about positive and negative experiences should he change. At a club like this, 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.

“You have to deal with that and everyone has to find their own way. That’s why it’s the wrong approach to give tips to others. Time has changed me a lot.”

The Bundesliga returns this evening after a lengthy break for the World Cup, with Werner and Gvardiol both potentially in action for RB Leipzig in their test with league leaders Bayern Munich. Nkunku is currently out injured.

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