Lampard on Werner’s shocking miss: Get back on the training pitch

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:45 CDT
• 2 min read

Frank Lampard has again given his backing to under-pressure forward Timo Werner after the Chelsea signing’s struggles continued against Fulham.

The Chelsea manager feels the only solution for the 24-year-old is to keep working hard in training and wait for another chance to come.

Werner, a £47.5 million summer arrival from RB Leipzig, was not in the starting XI at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

But he was handed an opportunity to impress as he replaced Olivier Giroud with 15 minutes to go, the match still in the balance and the hosts at a disadvantage after Antonee Robinson was sent off.

Mason Mount put Chelsea ahead soon after and just as the clock was running down it looked like Werner was poised to end his miserable 10-match run without a Premier League goal.

He was sent clean through on goal by Christian Pulisic down the left channel as part of a swift counter-attack.

Werner appeared poised to score the type of chance he was renowned for finishing at Leipzig, but he directed a miserable effort wide without troubling goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

READ MORE: Is Timo Werner Chelsea’s answer to Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe?

Lampard agreed it was the type of chance Werner would usually convert.

Asked if Werner was lacking confidence, Lampard said to Sky Sports: “I don’t know.

“I think it’s normal if you don’t score as regularly as you want. He did score last week in the FA Cup.

“But [chances like] those are goals I have seen him score many a time.

“His bread and butter is going through like that and scoring.

“It happens – he has to just keep working, it’s the only way out of it.

“We have all been there if you are a goalscorer or a striker, everyone will say the same, ‘Get back on the training pitch’.

“[Be] pleased you are getting in there, go again.”

‘Werner is high quality’

Lampard, who has faced speculation over his job security, was relieved to see Chelsea end a three-match run without a Premier League win.

And he remains adamant Werner’s time will come.

Lampard added: “I was delighted to see him to get through [on goal], he likes to be in those positions.

“We are getting him in positions there when he came on and he will score.

“It will go in for him because he is high quality.”

Kai Havertz, another high-profile signing from the Bundesliga, was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win.