Chelsea can get the best out of ‘special’ Timo Werner by playing the versatile striker out wide, says former RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch
- Chelsea have been told they can see the best of Timo Werner on the wing
- RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch coached the striker at RB Leipzig
- He described the striker as ‘special’ and highlighted his versatility
- The German managed 34 goals and 13 assists in the 2019-2020 season
Chelsea can get the best out of new signing striker Timo Werner by playing the striker out wide, according to his former coach Jesse Marsch.
The German, who scored 34 goals and made 13 assists this season, agreed to join the Blues in a £53million deal last month and could form part of an exciting attacking line-up.
The versatile Werner is primarily a central forward but also has the ability to play on the wing and Marsch, who coached the striker at Leipzig from 2018-2019, believes h could prosper in that role for Frank Lampard’s side.
Chelsea have been told they could get the best out of Timo Werner by playing him on the wing
RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch coached the striker during at RB Salzburg from 2018-2019
‘He likes to drift to the left and then come in with his right,’ Marsch, who is now manager of RB Salzburg, told Bleacher Report’s Football Ranks podcast.
‘He can drag the ball [out wide] and cross it or come across the goal as well.
‘He’s also good at finishing crosses from the right side when he’s attacking in the box, but he’s also good in the middle and he’s good on the right, too.
The German scored 34 goals and made 13 assists for Leipzig during the 2019-2020 season
‘I think if you’re playing with two strikers, which is what we did often at Leipzig, we gave them freedom to move to the left.
‘We built that in tactically so he could find ways to be on the move but dangerous, but he could play as a second striker, he could play on the right, he can play in a front three, he can play any of those positions.’
Marsch also highlighted the physical attributes of the 24-year-old and his positive injury record.
‘Again, he will work against the ball, he will defend, he’ll work for the team, and the other thing that’s so special about Timo is that for a guy who sprints so much in a game, he’s always healthy.
‘That’s unusual, those sprinters that are so aggressive, they pick up a lot of soft-tissue muscle injuries. Timo has been incredibly fit and hopefully he can stay that way.’
Werner could form part of an exciting front three with fellow new boy Hakim Ziyech and the in-form Christian Pulisic, who has three goals and two assists since the return of football.