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Four big-name first-season failures to inspire Timo Werner for Chelsea

The German ace arrived at Chelsea with a big reputation but it hasn't happened for him yet at Stamford Bridge. History suggests it's too early dismiss him as a flop, though.

It's safe to say that Timo Werner did not have a first season to remember in the Premier League, but there were glimpses of the talent he possesses and the poacher has a chance of redemption next season.

There are, though, some high-profile examples of players who have gotten over a poor start in England and gone on to impress.

Here at Planet Sport, we take a closer look at Werner, as well as those who have shown him that first-season struggles in the Premier League do not have to be definitive.

Timo Werner

Signed for £47.5 million in the summer of 2020, big things were expected of Germany international Timo Werner.

His first season in the Premier League saw Chelsea sack Frank Lampard and appoint his fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel, and their bond is evident with the manager placing a huge amount of trust in Werner. The striker regularly led the line even with players such as Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham vying for a starting spot.

On the face of it, the 25-year-old scored a measly six league goals last season for a team that are associated with scoring plenty of goals. This being said, Werner had an expected goal record of 13.43, showing that he was getting into the right positions regularly and with more confidence he would have scored a lot more goals.

He did lift silverware in his first season for his new club, when Chelsea defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final. It goes without saying that Werner will score more league goals this season and if he gets off to a good start, he will prove the doubters wrong and show why Chelsea invested in him last season.

Werner is currently chalked up at around 14/1 to be the top Premier League scorer next year and providing everything falls right for him, he looks very good value at a double figure price.

David De Gea

David De Gea arrived at Manchester United 10 years ago and did not establish himself as first-choice keeper until his third season for The Red Devils.

He began his time at United as a thinner and somewhat shy goalkeeper who failed to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League.
The Spaniard also made high-profile mistakes regularly and even his first appearance in a United shirt was one to forget. United faced rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield and De Gea managed to let a long range Edin Dzeko strike past him even though it should have caused him no issues.
De Gea also had a league debut to forget, letting a West Brom shot in under his body which seemed easier to save.

As the seasons have gone on, De Gea has become more trustworthy and has adapted to the Premier League. He has even been touted as the best goalkeeper in the world on occasion.

De Gea's time at United has overall been successful after a horrific start, making over 400 appearances and winning a total of seven trophies at Old Trafford.

Jordan Henderson

After impressing for Sunderland in the Premier League, Jordan Henderson made a move to Liverpool in 2011.

He struggled to adapt and his first couple of seasons at the club did not go to plan.

After playing regularly under Kenny Dalglish, the Scotsman was sacked at the end of Henderson's first season and Brendan Rodgers took over as manager.
It was at this point that the Sunderland-born central midfielder was told that he was surplus to requirements by Rodgers.
A move to Fulham almost occurred, but Henderson was determined to stay and prove to the manager that he was worthy of his place at Anfield.
Almost a decade on and Henderson has proven himself and more, going on to become Liverpool captain. He is one of Jurgen Klopp's most important players, as he encapsulates the passion and desire of all Liverpool fans.

Henderson has even been compared to Steven Gerrard in reference to his leadership and even in his ability on the pitch. He has gone on to lift a Champions League trophy as well as the Premier League. It's safe to say that Henderson has come a long way since he almost left the club.

Kevin De Bruyne

Before becoming one of the world's best players at Manchester City, Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne had a brief spell at Chelsea.

He signed at Stamford Bridge from his native Belgium for a fee of around £8million in 2012.

However, he failed to make a lasting impact under Jose Mourinho and only played three Premier League matches before departing for Wolfsburg in Germany.

De Bruyne found his chances at Chelsea limited and was behind Oscar, Andre Schurrle, Juan Mata and Willian in the pecking order. With this, Mourinho decided to sell De Bruyne and he would go on to be a huge success for Wolfsburg.

Only a year later, he returned to the Premier League to join Manchester City for over £50million and has become one of the greatest ever midfielders to ever play in the competition. Quite a turnaround.

Mohamed Salah

Salah was at Chelsea around the same period as Kevin De Bruyne, and he too found it hard to work his way into the club's fans' hearts. Mind blowing.

The Egyptian had caught the eye of plenty of Premier League clubs before he chose Chelsea, which turned out to be the wrong choice.

In a two-and-a-half year period, he managed just 13 appearances and netted twice before joining Fiorentina on loan and then Roma, also on loan, before eventually signing in Italy permanently.

In 2017, Salah famously returned to England, joining Liverpool, and had transformed into a new player. He scored a huge 32 goals in his first season back in England and has bagged almost 100 league goals in only four seasons.

He is now considered to be one of the best players in the world and he certainly came back to England with a vengeance after such a disappointing first spell.
Timo Werner should take inspiration from these journeys, and we definitely cannot write off the German just yet.

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