Frank Leboeuf believes Thomas Tuchel will drop Timo Werner for Chelsea’s next fixture.
Speaking on ESPN, the former defender couldn’t see Werner lining up against Burnley on Saturday.
The German international made at least a claim to feature from the off this weekend at Turf Moor following his contribution in last night’s FA Cup win over Luton Town.
He was involved in all three of Chelsea’s goals at the home of the Championship side and completed 90 minutes for the first time since early January.
Having assisted Saul Niguez’s maiden goal for the Blues, the speedy forward then scored in the second-half to make the tie level.
Romelu Lukaku sealed the win for Chelsea thanks to a perfect cross from his strike partner on the night.
Lukaku stays, Werner goes
However, despite being getting on the scoresheet, it was far from a perfect evening for the attacking pair.
According to WhoScored.com, Lukaku only managed a mere 24 touches, a theme that’s been pretty prevalent throughout the campaign.
Werner meanwhile achieved a passing percentage of 75.9%, the lowest of any Chelsea player.
Before grabbing the goal, he looked way off the pace and unsure of his own ability.
It is perhaps for this reason that Leboeuf predicted a place on the substitutes bench for the £45m (Sky) signing from RB Leipzig next time around.
“I don’t know if he (Tuchel) can put Lukaku on the bench again after he scored a goal and the fact he’s been bought for £100m,” remarked the ex-Blues centre-back.
“I think he should play Lukaku up front and put back (Kai) Havertz and maybe (Mason) Mount, or (Christian) Pulisic, but I don’t see Werner playing.”
Romelu has a right to keep his place
In the eyes of Leboeuf, Lukaku’s extra expensive price tag will partially save him from the chop, whilst Werner’s value won’t quite cut it.
“I don’t see Lukaku on the bench again. I think it would be difficult to sort out the problem out after that,” he continued.
“You have to manage a dressing room as well. Okay, the three-up front (in the Carabao Cup final) were fantastic. They didn’t score a goal; they were offside or they missed chances.
“Where tonight, even if it wasn’t a League Cup final, Lukaku scored.
“You have to take into consideration, Lukaku is a big signing and if he doesn’t play, we put the pressure on him. We ask Tuchel why he doesn’t play?”
It does appear that because Lukaku is Chelsea’s club-record recruit, he gets more of a pass when things go wrong.
Meanwhile, Werner has repeatedly been given the chance to re-write his mistakes, without much in the way of a squeaky-clean record.
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