Gianfranco Zola keen to see Frank Lampard deploy Timo Werner out wide for Chelsea
Speaking to talkSport (h/t The Metro), Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has urged Frank Lampard to persist in deploying Timo Werner on the wing.
The German ace is going through a rough patch at the moment. The goals have dried up and he has failed to make a positive impact on the field. It saw the 24-year-old’s goalless run stretch to 12 games.
To add insult to injury, Werner also managed to injure himself while taking a corner in the final moments of the match. It appears that when it rains, it pours.
A prolific scorer, Werner is capable of playing anywhere along the front line. It is however up front where he excels. While Lampard is keen to deploy his ace through the middle, Zola wants to see him continue out wide.
“I think Werner has got very good qualities, unbelievable qualities but in my opinion he plays best when he’s got a lot of pitch in front of him, when he has to attack the space.”
Zola believes it plays to Werner’s strengths when he has space to run into. The claim is not without proof, given the excellent movement the striker showed in his first few matches.
With teams deploying a low block against Chelsea, Werner does not often get the space he needs to make the best out of his skill set. Zola believes the Blues will be well served to deploy Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham in such a situation.
“If you want to play Werner, maybe it’s right to play him in the wide areas.”
Playing to one’s strengths!
16 of Werner’s 24 appearances for Chelsea have come on the left wing. He currently averages 0.50 goal contribution per game on the flank compared to 0.75 per game playing forward. (h/t Transfermarkt)
While Zola is right that the lack of space has affected Werner’s performances, the German has often looked out of sorts when played out wide. With his confidence also appearing to be shot, playing him out of position could be more of a gamble than a masterstroke.
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Despite his struggles, Werner has shown in glimpses that he has what it takes to succeed in England. Hopefully, he will break his drought and go on a scoring run that will see his confidence soar.
Until then, he just has to keep working hard, no matter in which position he plays.