Graeme Souness blames Timo Werner for costing Lampard his job
Former Liverpool star Graeme Souness has passed a damning verdict on Chelsea striker Timo Werner, regarding him being too timid to succeed in English football. (h/t Sky Sports)
The Sky Sports pundit has also held the German international partly responsible for the dismissal of Frank Lampard from the helm of affairs at Chelsea towards the end of January. Souness told Sky Sports:
“I think he’ll find our football difficult – he is finding it difficult. I think the aggression and intensity, I think he’s a little bit timid for our football. If he had done the business Frank would still be in a job.”
Werner was expected to evolve into Chelsea’s new long-term No.9 when he came through the door from RB Leipzig this past summer. The 24-year-old boasted an exceptional track record in his homeland, scoring 95 goals in 159 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
The German stalwart enjoyed a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge, registering 8 goals in all competitions heading into December. But Werner has suffered a drastic downturn in form over the past couple of months, scoring only once in his last 19 appearances for the Blues.
Werner’s failure to deliver the goods in front of goal saw Chelsea lose five of their last eight games under former manager Lampard before he was eventually issued the marching orders by the hierarchy.
In truth, however, it was more a collective failure of the players and system rather than one individual that cost Lampard his job. As for Werner, though, the managerial change at the club is yet to bring the best out of him.
More Chelsea News:
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- Michael Ballack backs Timo Werner to rediscover his goalscoring touch at Chelsea
While Chelsea have won three of their first four games under Thomas Tuchel, Werner is yet to find the net under his compatriot. The 24-year-old was named man-of-the-match in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United but extended his goal drought in the PL to 14 games.