This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has expressed his excitement over Timo Werner's decision to join the club next season, describing it as an 'exciting sign' of the team's future direction.
Werner, a German international forward, had been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool but ultimately chose to join Chelsea, reportedly for a 60 million euro release clause.
“I had good conversations with him personally where I think he understands what I want to do here with the club, how we work, how we play,” Lampard said in a videoconference ahead of Chelsea's return to action at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Chelsea are in a strong position to secure a return to the Champions League next season, sitting in fourth place with a three-point advantage over Manchester United.
However, Lampard has previously expressed concerns over the team's lack of killer instinct, having won just six of their 17 league games before the three-month shutdown.
Despite a transfer ban in his first summer in charge, Lampard has moved quickly to strengthen the team, with the signing of Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech completed in February.
“Where we probably couldn’t do as much business in the last couple of windows for whatever reason has given us a chance to see some youth have more time in the team, but we were very clear that we want to improve,” said Lampard.
“Timo Werner was a signing we felt would improve us. I’m certainly very excited to have him playing for Chelsea.”
