Timo Werner got Chelsea’s pre-season up and running with the opening goal of their 2-1 victory over Club America at the weekend.
He briefly featured through the middle during his appearance in the second half for the Blues, with the German converting from a Reece James cross, after players such as Kai Havertz and Michy Batshuayi had squandered good chances.
With Armando Broja set to leave and Batshuayi almost certainly not in Thomas Tuchel’s plans, Werner could now look to feature the former Leipzig man as a central striker as his options begin to dwindle.
Having joined the club as a natural striker for around £47m, he quickly found himself occupying a left forward role, with this pace in behind something they looked to optimise alongside Romelu Lukaku.
Now, the Belgian has left, and Kai Havertz, who operated in the role especially in the second half of the season, has not provided regular contributions since joining.
Tuchel could transform Werner
It has to be said that Werner falls into that category too, scoring just four league goals last season. However, it really feels like confidence in front of goal is what’s let him down up to now, and playing him in a role where the most chances are created for you is the best way to get out of this.
A run at the start of the season could easily see Werner start the campaign on a hot streak, with supporters still patiently waiting to see the form he showed in the Bundesliga.
It is hard to see a world where these chances aren’t created either, giving the ability of the likes of Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James to create opportunities.
It could well be the last chance for Werner to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge, with consecutive poor seasons currently marking his card. A run through the middle may be the catalyst for the Germany international finally showing exactly what he can do.