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Timo Werner’s Chelsea career has by no means been starved of criticism.
The German international signed from RB Leipzig two years ago, and arrived as one of the most exciting attacking players in Europe.
During the 2019/20 campaign, the 26-year-old scored 34 goals and made 13 assists in 42 matches across all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit, with his pace and eye for goal making him one of the most sought after players on the market.
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Chelsea agreed to sign Werner towards the end of his successful campaign in the German top flight and therefore beat the interest shown by Liverpool, despite the Reds being crowned Premier League Champions just a few days after the Blues' deal was accepted.
There was a lot of expectation on his shoulders upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, especially given the lack of fortune that Chelsea have experienced with other attackers in the past.
Come the end of his first campaign at his new club, many were critical of his contributions.
However upon reflection, Werner proved to be crucial asset to the side at many stages of the year, and his statistics do well to back this up.
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Although he missed a number of key chances, with some of his opportunities leading people to believe it was harder to miss, the forward was still able to gather 27 contributions in all competitions.
That equated to around one goal or assist every two games, a solid number for his first season in the English top flight.
Werner even played a key role in their Champions League winning run; he netted three in the group stage and one in their semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, and his clever run in the final against Manchester City allowed his fellow German Kai Havertz to score the only goal of the game, and therefore seal the club’s second title in the competition.
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There was optimism that he could build upon his efforts during the season just gone, but Werner was unable to show any signs of improvement.
Questions have now been raised over his future at the club, with the forward recently saying: "I could be happy everywhere. It is hard to say (why I've struggled for game time).
"I didn’t ask but I think of course the manager always has different ideas, different thoughts and what you need in different games, I think in many games I was not in his thoughts so I try to change that.
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"It is clear I want to play more and I should play more to first be in good shape for the World Cup and also, to have a chance to play at the World Cup.”
Although Werner’s future is now uncertain, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that he will remain a Chelsea player for the foreseeable future: “Sure, he is our player, sure.”
Tuchel also spoke on what his fellow countryman needs to do to improve his fortunes at the club, as he said: “Show quality, take your place and defend your place. I would be one of the happiest people on the planet having a contract with Chelsea.”
Werner’s first goal of last season came towards the end of September in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa and his first in the Premier League arrived the following week against Southampton, a late and crucial strike as the match edged towards a draw.
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He netted just three more times before the end of 2021, all of which came in the Champions League group stages.
Two goals in the FA Cup against Chesterfield and Luton would follow in the early stages of 2022, before a late patch of form would see him score against the likes of Madrid and Arsenal.
Upon the conclusion of the season Werner had 11 goals and six assists to show for his efforts, a lot less than what he amassed in his debut campaign.
Tuchel has recently shown signs of frustration with his attackers, particularly when they have scored just three goals in three games during pre-season this summer.
He disclosed a bold admission on their lack of goals when he said: "Listen, it's the same players, so why should anything change?
“We will see hopefully development but at the moment, we have the same issues because we have the same players."
Couple these words with the recent comments made by the player himself, and Werner could be set for a west London departure this summer.
Over the last two seasons, it has been clear to see that he has struggled to adapt to the strength and the pace of the Premier League.
He has by no means scored or assisted a drastic lack of goals, but it is fair to say that the expectations that Chelsea fans had of him when he first arrived have not been met.
Amid the uncertainty over his future, Florian Plettenberg has recently reported that a return to his former club Leipzig could be a possibility this summer.
Such a move ‘would be a long way to go’, but there is a chance that Werner could head back to the side for whom he scored 94 goals in four seasons.
When comparing his performances in the Bundesliga with those in the Premier League, it is clear to see he is much more suited to the former.
The signing of Raheem Sterling has the potential for Werner to play even less minutes for the Blues, and therefore a move this summer would be the best for both parties.
Chelsea would be able to get a struggling player off their books, and the German himself would have the opportunity to impress elsewhere if he is to be in with the chance of representing his country at the World Cup later this year.
Although he has been frustrating at times and not been able to replicate the form he previously showed at Leipzig, Werner has been a solid servant to the club.
He has scored crucial goals that have contributed to the side’s objectives, and he would leave Chelsea with three trophies to his name.
However if the Blues are to progress as a club and Werner is to improve as a player, it should be time for them to part ways; it may not end in the way that they'd have liked, but there is a growing sense that it is now a necessity.
Topics: Timo Werner, Chelsea
Robert Calcutt