UEFA Technical Observer Frans Hoek lauded Newcastle United transfer target Timo Werner for scoring twice as Chelsea drew with Zenit St Petersburg, while speaking with UEFA.com.
Werner delivered an instrumental display at the Gazprom Arena on Wednesday evening as the Blues drew 3-3. The German had a hand in each of the Stamford Bridge natives’ goals, but could not prevent Thomas Tuchel’s side from failing to convert a leading position twice.
Magomed Ozdoev’s 94th-minute equaliser ensured Chelsea ended the Champions League group stage second to Juventus. The Blues will now be unseeded in Monday’s last 16 draw.
Werner broke the deadlock for Chelsea after just two-minutes against Zenit by stabbing in from a yard out. He would again gift Tuchel’s side the lead in the 85th-minute with a fierce low shot, after also assisting Romelu Lukaku’s equaliser after a one-two with Ross Barkley.
Netherlands goalkeeping coach and UEFA Technical Observer Hoek liked Werner’s display in Russia. The £272k-a-week forward had only scored three goals and provided one assist during his 12 previous appearances this season.
“His influence on this game was very significant, with an assist and two goals out of the three Chelsea managed,” Hoek said. “Aside from that, he was sharp all game, looking for possibilities.”
Werner shows Newcastle what he can offer in Chelsea – Zenit draw
Werner’s standout Champions League performance during Chelsea’s draw with Zenit also showed Newcastle what the German could bring to St James’ Park with a transfer in 2022.
Bild journalist Christian Falk reported in October that Toon chiefs are interested in the 25-year-old following their Saudi-led takeover. Werner, who Chelsea paid RB Leipzig £45m to sign in 2020, had only opened eight games across all competitions before starting at Zenit.
Tuchel has additionally only awarded Werner 82-minutes over Chelsea’s last four Premier League games. His only game time in that run came in their draw with Manchester United.
Yet Chelsea are likely to deny Newcastle a transfer for Werner, should they explore a deal in January. Sport report Tuchel is now hesitant to let the German leave south-west London.
Barcelona had been debating a deal for Werner with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia as he wants to leave Stamford Bridge. He wants to secure more regular minutes over the second-half of the season, but Tuchel does not want anyone leaving.
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