Lothar Matthaus urged Thomas Tuchel to play Timo Werner as a striker for Chelsea so he can hit the levels of Harry Kane and the world’s best no.9s.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Matthaus predicted that Werner would bag a shedload of goals if he’s deployed as the Blues main centre-forward.
The 25-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from RB Leipzig, with the reputation as one of Europe’s most lethal marksman.
He scored 34 times in all competitions during his farewell season with the German club.
His numbers, and performances, certainly decreased across his debut Chelsea campaign.
12 goals in 52 appearances is what he could muster, which was still enough to finish as the Blues joint top scorer.
Give Werner what he wants
Most of Werner’s efforts were spent between playing down the middle or out wide, achieving varying degrees of success.
However, Matthaus felt that if Tuchel used him solely as a striker, the rewards would be fantastic.
“He was the top scorer for Chelsea, nobody scored more goals for Chelsea,” said the Bayern Munich legend.
“This player was not wearing the No 9 and playing there every weekend like Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku or Robert Lewandowski.
“Give the player the chance to play every Saturday or Sunday (as a centre forward) and Werner will score more than 20 goals in the Premier League.
“He was doing that at Leipzig, 28 goals and second in the Bundesliga behind Lewandowski.
“But he is always playing with his heart, giving his best, running right wing, left wing and backwards.”
Roman’s plan of action
Of course, using Werner as the main man in attack may not be so simple, given Chelsea’s summer transfer plans.
Roman Abramovich is desperate to bring in a new centre-forward, highlighting Erling Haaland as his top priority.
But names like Kane, Lukaku and Lewandowski have all been linked with a move to South West London.
A player of this calibre would certainly boost the Blues’ chances of winning titles.
This is something they may not achieve if Tuchel relies on Werner as the spearhead of his front line.
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