Werner talks about his new position under Tuchel
Timo Werner explains how tweak in his position under head coach Thomas Tuchel contributed towards his match-winning performance against Sheffield United.
In recent matches there has been a noticeable improvement in Werner's fortunes, none more highlighted so than last nights trip to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield United at Brammal Lane, where he was the creator in both of Chelsea's goals as the Blues won 2-1.
The freedom that Werner has been provided with to play on the shoulders of defenders and then drop deep between the lines was clearly evident yesterday as he looked a constant threat throughout Chelsea's victory with his running both on and off the ball.
Werner revealed after the game that a key change in his role since Tuchel has taken over as Chelsea head coach, playing in a more central position and closer to his fellow strikers, is helping him to exploit and find space in order to attack opposition defences.
Werner said 'Every manager is different in how they want us to play'. Tuchel gives us new ideas. Now I am playing as a left number 10 not as a left winger, this enables me to find space for my runs in the middle which enables me to play behind a striker , or a number 10 is able to play behind me as a second striker. It is very good for me and I think there were also some good moves made by our manager during our two wins.
Werner gave his reflection on the win against Sheffield United as a whole, along with the role he played in both Chelsea's goals, even though he expressed disappointment in not ending his barren spell without a goal, with one of his efforts looking net bound before a last ditch clearance from a Sheffield United defender.
'Overall it's a good win for us. It was a very difficult game, against a very high defending Sheffield United team and we are proud to have won, continuing our momentum from our previous wins. Even though there was no goal for myself, but it's good that I am able to help the team out with creating assists and runs at the moment and I will keep going.'
'It makes me happy when we win and when I am able to make two assists like today which is good =, but as a striker you always want to score. It has been a very long time for me, I haven't had such a long period without scoring a goal previously in my career, but you cannot do anything about this. You must keep going and do your best on the field and then the goals will come.'
Chelsea's winning goal came via a penalty during five dramatic minutes in the second half, when Sheffield United equalised through an Antonio Rudiger own goal and then instantly gave the ball away at the back for Werner to to race clear in on goal, before he was brought down in the penalty box by Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Werner himself admitted that even he was surprised it took so long for Chelsea's penalty to be confirmed, with VAR taking a second look before referee Kevin Friend took a second look on the pitchside monitor before awarding the penalty as well as confirming that the knock resulted in him leaving the field as a result of the challenge.
'I was a bit shocked as it was a clear penalty for me. I put the ball past the goalkeeper and he hit me clear, for this I think VAR is good.'
'I got what people call in England a dead leg I think it was at the moment of the penalty. The next 10-15 minutes were so hard, so I told my manager to take me off because the game was very tight and the end of the day it is much better to play with 11 fit players as supposed to 10-and-a-half .'
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