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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

Timo Werner reveals how Frank Lampard talks convinced him of Chelsea transfer

Chelsea's new signing Timo Werner has revealed how Frank Lampard played a key role in convincing him to join the club from RB Leipzig.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal in a deal worth £47.5million, and will arrive at Stamford Bridge on July 1.

Lampard has been praised for pulling off a transfer coup in capturing a player of Werner's quality, especially when Liverpool were considered as favourites to land the Germany international.

Werner, who scored twice on his final appearance for Leipzig in the 2-1 win over Augsburg, has lifted the lid on his talks with Lampard and revealed his reasons for joining the Blues.

“The discussions with the board at Chelsea were so good that I ultimately chose them," he told Sky Sport Germany.

Incoming: Werner is heading to Stamford Bridge this summer Photo: Getty Images

"Frank Lampard in particular stood behind me and really wanted me to know that if I went to Chelsea, I could feel just as comfortable as I do with Leipzig.

“In the conversations with me, the coach often emphasised how much he wanted me, how much he valued me as a person."

Werner spent four seasons with the Bundesliga outfit and became their all-time top goalscorer after netting 28 goals in 33 appearances this season, and the striker says he will be leaving with a heavy heart.

"Of course it's hard to give up an oasis of wellbeing like the one I've had in Leipzig for years, but you can only get ahead in a career if you take the next step.

"This season was the crossroads, otherwise I would always have stayed with Leipzig. I’ve decided on something new and I hope that my form will continue like this.”

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