"The talent I think Timo has, the work ethic, his personality and humility actually, really shone through for me, when speaking to him."
Those were the words of Frank Lampard after Chelsea completed the almost-£50million signing of Timo Werner in the summer of 2020.
"So I am very excited to have him in all senses. He's clearly a player that we liked. I've certainly followed him for a long time myself, individually just as a talented players, even before I had this job," the former Chelsea boss added.
"He's got huge talent, had a fantastic season this year but before that as well. We were very clear about the fact we wanted to improve. And Timo Werner is always a signing that will improve us."
Who could have argued with Lampard?
Chelsea had just signed one of the most sought-after talents in the world of football at the time.
Werner netted 34 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig during the 2019/20 season. Liverpool wanted him, but Chelsea won the race.
There were enormous expectations for the German forward when he penned a deal at Stamford Bridge and the excitement was massive - the Blues seemingly had an attacker that would take them to the next level.
It took the now 26-year-old four games to find the back of the net, after scoring against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. That opened the door for Werner, who then went on a superb run of form, scoring seven goals in as many games after that.
Werner's goal against Sheffield United at the start of November, though, proved to be his last one for Chelsea until January 10.
The forward was getting in the right positions, but his finishing touch that he showcased so often at Leipzig was missing.
This season has been even more disappointing for Werner, who made just his eighth Premier League start of the season against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
It was a really disappointing first-half for Werner, who also started and failed to impress at Norwich City in the week. The Germany international was playing alongside Kai Havertz in the front two, rather than his usual position on the left wing.
20 minutes into the clash at Stamford Bridge, Werner picked the ball up on the halfway line, tried to turn the defender but it proved to be a poor touch and it was intercepted easily.
This, rather unsurprisingly given how frustrating the first-half was for the hosts in west London, was met by unanimous groans from the Stamford Bridge home supporters. Thomas Tuchel was visibly furious on the touchline.
Just a couple of minutes later, Werner was flagged offside - something that has been a frustrating element of his game since moving to Chelsea over 18 months ago. It didn't help Werner's case in front of the Stamford Bridge supporters.
Even though Werner was in a front two with Havertz, he often drifted out wide in the first-half and struggled to make a strong impact for the hosts.
The second period didn't start well for Werner either. Andreas Christensen played a lovely lofted ball to the German, who had beaten the Newcastle offside trap, but he was unable to trap the ball and it ran away from him and in the hands of Martin Dubravka.
Right after that passage of play, Jamie Carragher, who was on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, admitted he felt sympathy for Werner with the way he's playing at the moment.
"He's so short of confidence. You actually feel for him sometimes when he's on the ball," Carragher said.
That summed it up well from Carragher. Werner's confidence has been shot since joining Chelsea.
It then looked like a really nice piece of play from Werner after being played through by Mason Mount, taking it around the goalkeeper and looking like he had won a penalty, but the German, once again, was flagged offside.
That, on the hour-mark, was Werner's last contribution of the game - a match that effectively summed up his Chelsea career so far.
Time is running out for the former Leipzig attacker at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, there's the small matter of a possible transfer ban in the summer window, which would mean the Blues would be unable to offload him, but the sanctions are set to be reviewed in May.
Borussia Dortmund are said to be interested in Werner and as it stands, with the way he is performing, Chelsea surely would not step in the forward's way should he want to end his spell in England.
