According to former Liverpool midfielder James McAteer, Chelsea is in a strong enough position to compete with the newly crowned English champions next season following the signing of Timo Werner. After months of speculation, Chelsea won the race to sign the RB Leipzig striker last week, after triggering the 24-year-old’s release clause. Werner became the second player to be signed by the Blues ahead of next season, following in the footsteps of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech, whose arrival at Stamford Bridge will also create plenty of excitement and intrigue.
James McAteer said “One team who definitely look to be heading in the right direction are Chelsea. It was a massive step up for Frank Lampard taking the manager’s job. It’s easier at Derby when your reputation as a player means you gain a certain amount of respect. But that’s not the case when there are World Cup winners in the dressing room. But I can see them being right up there next season. They needed to boost their forward line but Timo Werner’s signing is a huge statement of intent. I don’t think they can rely on Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud. I am a big fan of Hakim Ziyech as well and a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz would also be huge, So they are buying well. I think Lampard made a great statement of intent when he let David Luiz go and some of the talented youngsters have gained experience. I can see the Blues making great progress in the next 18 months. They are going to be right up there.”