CHRIS SUTTON: Timo Werner deserves credit for winner against Real Madrid even if it was the simplest of finishes… he is justifying Thomas Tuchel’s faith and the striker’s confidence is visibly returning
- Timo Werner deserves credit for his goal against Real Madrid despite easy finish
- He justified his selection with his constant work rate and all-round performance
- The confidence is returning for the German and that goal will only boost it
- Champions League final against Manchester City should be a brilliant match
You may say your nan could have scored it but let’s not deprive Timo Werner of the credit he deserves.
In getting himself into a position to nod the ball into the empty net, he justified his starting spot. Werner was strong in holding off Sergio Ramos in the build-up — even leaving the Real Madrid captain on his backside — before exchanging a one-two with N’Golo Kante.
He then made his way into the box and met the ball as Kai Havertz’s clever attempt bounced back off the crossbar. He may have missed chances this season but Werner is the sort of restless striker that defenders hate to face.
Timo Werner deserves credit for his goal even if it was the simplest of finishes for the German
He is the sort of restless striker that defenders hate to face with his constant strong work rate
In a way, he deserved this goal for the work rate he’s brought to Chelsea. We all know there are aspects to Werner’s game which he can improve on.
The 25-year-old was flagged offside more than any other player in Europe’s elite leagues last season, for example. That tells you he’s got to work harder at keeping himself onside, especially with VAR in play.
Chelsea could have taken the lead inside 20 minutes of this tie but Werner just couldn’t help bursting behind the opposition’s back line.
But he didn’t make the same mistake in the 28th minute. He held himself back, stayed onside and got a legitimate goal.
As a striker, nobody can say you’ve had a bad game if you score in a game of this magnitude. That will have done Werner’s confidence a world of good, too.
The flick to Mason Mount who missed a glorious chance showed Werner’s high confidence
He is justifying Thomas Tuchel’s faith as Chelsea go from strength to strength under their boss
A clever flick in the second half to create a glorious chance for Mason Mount was evidence of his belief in himself.
We haven’t really seen it click up front for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel. But you can tell that sooner or later, someone is going to get a hell of a beating off this side.
After missing a series of excellent chances Chelsea finally made their superiority pay with Mount’s late goal which was no more than they deserved.
Now I can’t wait for the final against Manchester City. What a match-up that will be.
Champions League Final against Manchester City will be a brilliant match and I can’t wait for it
