Timo Werner – A burden lifted (Eventually)?

The arrival of Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea this summer signaled a real statement of intent for Chelsea to solve their problem with a lack of goals. Having received constant criticism last year, it will be interesting to see if with the burden of scoring goals lifted, if we get to see the best of Timo Werner at Chelsea. 

Most Chelsea fans appreciate the contribution that the German striker had made to our success last year. His graft and work rate for the team, in general, was outstanding with a prime example of his run off the ball to create space for Kai Havertz to score the winner in the Champions League final. 

To his credit, Werner never let his head drop when he failed to convert chances - with many placing bets at an online casino rather than back him in a game to score. He would show disappointment for a second but then get back in a position to work for the team and be ready for the next chance that would come his way. 

Now, with Lukaku leading the line, there are signs that the two of them are trying to form a partnership moving forward. Unfortunately for both, injury in the same game has hampered any progress. 

If you think back to when Andrei Shevchenko signed for Chelsea, Didier Drogba went on that season to score 30-goals with the burden of expectation being shared between the two. It wasn’t just about marking Drogba and trying to nullify his threat, but to deal with both from a defensive point of view. 

The same now could be said of Lukaku and Werner. I am not saying that one of them will go on this season to hit the heights of Drogba’s great season that year, but hopefully, at least 20 goals which would be a marked improvement on last year. 

What is interesting to see between now and the end of the season is how Timo Werner’s position evolves working with Lukaku. Will we see him play up next to him? Just in behind? Out wide to begin with? Or will we see Werner play slightly deeper in a natural role for him as we saw at RB Leipzig?

With the burden lifted, I personally believe that Timo Werner will come good this season and will make an important contribution as he did last year, but with a welcome addition of goals to help our cause. 

Maybe then, everyone will appreciate his quality.