Thomas Tuchel hails Timo Werner’s contribution despite ongoing goal drought and sets sights on ‘hunters’ ahead of Chelsea battling for top four
- Thomas Tuchel was very happy with Timo Werner’s performance on Sunday
- Werner provided two assists and won man of the match against Sheffield United
- Tuchel claims Werner’s ‘mental and physical’ presence was a ‘big step forward’
- The Chelsea boss believes Werner will return to his scoring ways if he continues
Thomas Tuchel is convinced goals will come for Timo Werner after his impressive display on Sunday helped Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-1.
Tuchel claims he is ‘very happy’ with Werner’s man-of-the-match performance at Bramall Lane – having assisted Mason Mount for the opener before winning a penalty in the 58th minute to close out the game.
Tuchel claims Werner’s ‘mental and physical’ presence in the game was a ‘big step forward’ and that he will return to his goalscoring ways if he continues to play ‘decisively’.
Thomas Tuchel was very happy with Timo Werner’s performance against Sheffield United
Werner has gone 14 Premier League games without a goal, but Chelsea manager Tuchel is convinced goals will come for the 24-year-old.
Speaking after Chelsea’s victory, Tuchel said: ‘When he plays like this we are very happy. It is a big step forward. He won a penalty against Tottenham and again today so we are very happy.
‘I could see the Tottenham game gave him a boost in confidence and he was unlucky in that game not to score, but he worked incredibly hard and was disciplined.
‘I feel he is stronger and stronger every day and he is more and more free. Today I could really feel him on the pitch, absolutely in the game mentally and physically.
Werner provided two assists and won man of the match for his performance on Sunday
Werner won the penalty that saw Jorginho convert from the spot for Chelsea to win 2-1
‘And he was decisive, and this is the most important because if he can continue like this the goals will come. I’m very sure.’
Werner had to be substituted after 75 minutes, but Tuchel allayed any fears of a major problem.
‘Its a dead leg, it is not serious. It is something that is very painful in the moment, but right now I don’t have any worries,’ said the Blues boss.
The victory over Chris Wilder’s side has extended Chelsea’s unbeaten start to life under their new manager.
Tuchel is confident Chelsea are on the right path and insists he will do his beat to help the club finish within the top four.
He said: ‘We are close to where we want to be. We want to try everything to reach the top four. ‘And we said this very clearly when we started.
‘So now, the guys put themselves in a situation where we are versus the hunters of teams up in front of us, and we are close.
Tuchel believes that performance coupled with his display against Spurs is a big step forward
Werner had to be substituted after 75 minutes following the collision with Aaron Ramsdale
‘But, it still changes nothing because the next league game will be at home, and we will be like everybody else, under pressure to continue our run and to build on the momentum.’
Tuchel also added that the Premier League was unlike any league he had managed before – calling it a physical division with a ‘lot of quality’.
He said: ‘The type of football is a physical one. It’s tough and there is a lot of quality in it. During matches it never stops.
‘You feel an absolute spirit. It is a pleasure to coach every game. So far everything is going very well.’