‘Agent’ Antonio Rudiger has revealed that he ‘did his bit’ in convincing Timo Werner to join the Blues.
Chelsea confirmed Timo Werner’s transfer from RB Leipzig last week for £53million. Werner is the second Chelsea signing since the appointment of Frank Lampard ahead of this season. Hakim Ziyech was announced in February. Werner has scored an impressive 32 goals in 44 matches in all competitions this season for RB Leipzig with few games left to play. Rudiger, who has played with Werner for the German national team, revealed that he did speak with the 24-year-old.
“I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time,” Rudiger told Chelsea’s official website. “We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England. Of course, then I did my bit, what I had to do.
“Like everyone, I’m very excited that he’s chosen Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him. I’ve known him since he was 17 and he did very good in the past few years. He can be very important for us.”
Rudiger also revealed that he is very impressed by the striker’s performances throughout the season and believes that he will be a quality addition to Lampard’s squad next season.
“He’s a really big threat to defenders,” he said. “RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he’s similar to Vardy. “He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!
“His development was just ‘wow’. In his first season, everything was new for him in men’s football but then he started scoring more goals and of course with that comes confidence.
“He had very good coaches who believed in him and worked with him.”
There are reports that Werner has opted to not be included in Leipzig’s Champions League squad, which is set to be played in August. Werner wants to train with his new club and wants to be available next season for the Blues.
