'Probably not': Hargreaves says Chelsea wouldn't be in CL final had Tuchel started £18m man

Owen Hargreaves has suggested that Chelsea would not have reached the Champions League final if Olivier Giroud had been picked over Timo Werner.

Whilst speaking on Premier League Productions, Hargreaves saved a mention for Werner’s contribution this campaign.

It’s not all been plan sailing for the jolly German, whose come under constant criticism for his failures in front of goal.

He is the Blues’ joint top scorer in 2020/21 on 12 but shares this accolade with Tammy Abraham, who hasn’t started a game since February.

One below them is Giroud on 11, another man left out to dry by Thomas Tuchel.

The £18m (BBC Sport) forward has been absent from the starting XI for nearly two months.

Hargreaves believed Tuchel was right to repeatedly trust Werner and felt Chelsea wouldn’t have achieved as much without him.

“Everyone knows Giroud is a better finisher,” said the former midfielder.

“But would Chelsea be in a Champions League or FA Cup final if Giroud started all those games? Probably not.”

His praise continued onto why Werner was so important to the Blues system.

“I think Timo Werner gives you so much other stuff, in terms of pressing,” explained Hargreaves.

“Thomas Tuchel is huge about that, in terms of pressing and winning the ball back.

“He can run the channels. He can play off the left. He can play down the middle.

“He’s more versatile. The goals aren’t there, but I really like him. I think he’s going to come good.

“I’m glad to see he’s fighting for his difficult moments.”

There is an argument to made that Giroud did help Chelsea to access the Champions League finale.

In eight European appearances this season, the 34-year-old has scored six times.

This includes a four-goal haul away to Sevilla in the group stage and a stunning bicycle kick against Atletico Madrid in the knockout phase.

Meanwhile, Werner has scored four times from 11 outings, but did bag the semi-final opener at home to Real Madrid.

Both have their individual qualities, but the ex-RB Leipzig striker seems to suit Tuchel’s style far better than Giroud.

‘Probably not’: Hargreaves says Chelsea wouldn’t be in CL final had Tuchel started £18m man