Rio Ferdinand blasts ‘frustrating’ Timo Werner after Chelsea’s win over Atletico Madrid

Timo Werner is ‘frustrating’ to watch, says Rio Ferdinand, who urges the Chelsea forward to ‘slow the game down a bit’ after being ‘loose in possession’ and making poor decisions against Atletico Madrid

  • Forward Timo Werner has struggled at times since arriving at Stamford Bridge 
  • Rio Ferdinand criticised him for mistakes in Chelsea’s win over Atletico Madrid
  • The German has scored 10 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions 

Rio Ferdinand was not impressed with the performance of Timo Werner on Tuesday night, in Chelsea‘s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. 

The Chelsea forward has scored 10 goals in 34 appearances this season in all competitions, and fans have been crying out for more from him.

‘It’s frustrating watching him, because you’ve seen clips of what he can do,’ Ferdinand said on BT Sport, as Werner once again failed to get on the score sheet.

Timo Werner has struggled at times since arriving at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in the summer

‘It’s not an easy chance, but you’d like to see him get it on target,’ he said of one opportunity after the full time whistle.

‘He gets into these areas, makes the keeper make a save, fair enough, but there’s far too many times when he’s loose in possession when building up, or decision making when he gets into these areas at times.’

Werner joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in the summer for £57million, and has struggled to hit the same heights he did for his old club.

Rio Ferdinand criticised him after their win over Atletico Madrid, saying he is 'frustrating'

Rio Ferdinand criticised him after their win over Atletico Madrid, saying he is ‘frustrating’ 

‘Sometimes fast players have to slow the game down a bit,’ Ferdinand added. ‘They’re running so fast everything seems to be a blur.’ 

‘He just needs to sit down, study a few clips, this is where you’re going right, this is where you’re going wrong,’ said fellow pundit Steve McManaman. 

And Joe Cole said: ‘He’s like a young Theo Walcott. So much talent, but it wasn’t until the latter stage of his career when he put it all together and started scoring regularly.

Olivier Giroud got the winner for Chelsea with a spectacular overhead kick in the second half

Olivier Giroud got the winner for Chelsea with a spectacular overhead kick in the second half

‘With good coaches, he will start to kick on, we just have to be patient with him.’

Chelsea dominated the game against Atletico Madrid, and take a one away goal advantage into the tie at Stamford Bridge next month. 

Their goal came through a spectacular overhead kick from Olivier Giroud in the second half.