How Timo Werner will affect Christian Pulisic’s role at Chelsea. The German looks set to join the American at Stamford Bridge next season.
Off the big 6 in the Premier League, Chelsea were the only side not to invest in their side this season. Even after they had their transfer ban revoked, the Blues did not dip in the market. However, they have since signed Hakim Ziyech and look set to add Timo Werner in their ranks as well; all even before the transfer window opens.
Also read: How Chelsea managed to beat Liverpool in the race for Timo Werner
Werner spoke for months on end of his interest in joining Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. A move seemed like a matter of time. However, the financial implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic and Klopp’s inability to promise regular game time to the 24-year old allowed Chelsea to swoop in and meet his release clause of €55m.
If Werner does join the side, Chelsea will have a plethora of attackers going into the next season. Apart from Werner and Ziyech, the blues already have Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount. This is not even counting Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi, Willian and Pedro, all of whom are expected to leave the club in the summer.
How Timo Werner will affect Christian Pulisic’s role at Chelsea
From the surface it may appear that Timo Werner’s inclusion at Chelsea would mean Tammy Abraham would have to warm the bench. In reality however, the man most likely to be affected will very likely be Pulisic.
Despite his proficiency In front of the goal this season, Werner rarely plays as a pure number 9. He usually plays on the left as an inverted forward or a second striker. With the striker occupying the centre backs, Werner gets into great positions to both score and provide for his teammates.
Werner is also versatile enough to play behind the striker and occupy the number 10 position. Pulisic, on the other hand, almost exclusively plays on the left.
Frank Lampard has already shown that he has no inclination to start the American despite the huge transfer fees paid for his services. So, if the blues decide to stick Werner on the left, it is more than likely that Pulisic will warm the bench like he did in the beginning of this season.
Chelsea usually play with different versions of the 4-2-3-1. However, they have also employed the 3-4-2-1 formation at times. The latter removes the need for wingers. Both Ziyech and Werner can play as central attacking midfielders, securing their places in the side as first choices. Pulisic on the other hand, will surely miss out if and when Chelsea decide to play with 3 at the back.
All in all, things don’t look too rosy for the American star at London heading into the next season. He started the 2019/20 season on the bench and forced his way into the side with a string of brilliant performances.
However, he got injured in the middle of his purple patch and is yet to return to the side since. He could have made himself a guaranteed starter. Instead, an ill-timed injury has once again left his future at the hands of a manager who doesn’t seem to rate him too highly.
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