Barnes: Chelsea won’t match Liverpool even with Werner and Ziyech
John Barnes believes Chelsea are still some way behind challenging Liverpool and Manchester City despite their recent signings.
The Blues have confirmed the signing of Germany forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig for next season, having already agreed a deal to bring in Hakim Ziyech.
Chelsea will resume the interrupted Premier League campaign 12 points behind second-placed City and 34 behind champions-elect Liverpool.
Boss Frank Lampard has been keen to add to his attacking options, having been hugely reliant on Tammy Abraham up front.
And the arrivals of Werner and Ziyech will raise hopes among Chelsea fans that their side can be serious contenders next term.
But former Liverpool star Barnes believes the gulf will remain.
Barnes, who lived in west London as a youngster, told BonusCodeBets: “They’re already thirty-odd points behind Liverpool.
“I don’t think they’re going to close that gap just because they’ve signed Ziyech or Werner.
“What will happen is they will become more competitive – and being competitive for Chelsea means challenging for the top four spots.
“I still believe Man City and Liverpool are well clear ahead of everybody else.
“Now of course you have to try to improve, and that’s what they will do next year by signing players of real quality.
“I do expect them to make more of a challenge next year. But do I expect them to win the title? No, of course not. They still have a way to go.”
Werner ‘plays like a Salah’
Werner, 24, will arrive at Stamford Bridge with a growing reputation.
He has scored 11 goals in 29 games for his country and his performances for Leipzig meant he attracted
interest from several top European clubs – including Liverpool.
He can play wide as well as through the middle and Barnes believes Werner could therefore play alongside Abraham rather than replace the England striker.
“Werner is not a classic number nine,” said Barnes.
“He plays like a (Mohamed) Salah, or (Sadio) Mané and comes in from wide positions.
“He doesn’t have his back to play a whole lot and isn’t one of those to bring people into play.
“You can see him playing better alongside Tammy Abraham and you may even see Chelsea play more of a 4-3-3 formation with Callum Hudson-Odoi also.
“You need a big squad. I don’t think that Timo Werner is necessarily coming to replace Tammy Abraham.”
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