How Tuchel could save Werner's Chelsea career

James Shearman

• 22 Sept 2021 12:33 BST
• 3 min read

Timo Werner's Chelsea career, albeit short, has been as heavily scrutinised as any Premier League player in recent memory.

The 25-year-old made the £45million move from RB Leipzig just over a season ago, and was expected to comfortably outdo Tammy Abraham's tally of 15 league goals from the previous season.

However, despite a promising start, the German tailed off so considerably towards the end of last season that another striker topped manager Thomas Tuchel's summer transfer wishlist - Romelu Lukaku.

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Now, having been replaced by the Belgian in the opening rounds of the new Premier League campaign, it appears Werner's opportunities to reestablish his goalscoring form will be limited, unless there is a tactical tweak.

Werner and Lukaku up front?

After a brief spell as a two-man forward partnership in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Tottenham, the possibility of a change in shape appears to be growing.

In fact, Tuchel addressed the idea in his latest press conference ahead of the Blues' League Cup tie with Aston Villa.

"[Werner] clearly showed us how dangerous he and Romelu [Lukaku] can be together," he said.

"What you don't see is his performance in training. He is much more relaxed, more fluid in his movements, with more self-confidence.

"That's why he came in early against Tottenham and there are clear signs that he is on the right track and that he can show that tomorrow.

"Timo was in a better position, he was able to cause danger around Romelu. He had an assist and moves smart, has the freedom and makes decisions with more self-confidence. Hopefully he can take this momentum with him."

In the game against Spurs, Mason Mount was substituted off for N'Golo Kante at half-time, meaning a change in formation from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2.

Therefore, when Werner replaced Kai Havertz later on, neither he nor Lukaku were made to operate in a wider role.

And while the pair failed to score in the match, they were clearly difficult for the opposition defenders to deal with, as Lukaku would often hold the ball up with Werner running in-behind as he did so regularly, and successfully, at Leipzig.

The only downside would be, of course, the inability to field any other of Chelsea's widespread attacking options, besides Mount who has the positional sense to thrive in a deeper role.

But, if Werner and Lukaku are simultaneously able to find their best form, that will surely mean enough goals to lead a title charge.