Analysis: This Chelsea Player Can ‘Make The Difference’ Against City

Related stories

Tinubu Names IBB’s Son, Top Experts to Lead Key Nigerian Agencies

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad...

2027: Labour Party Appoints Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairperson 

By Abiola Olawale  Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the...

Cesar Azpilicueta said that ‘important’ Chelsea teammate Timo Werner can make the difference in Saturday’s Champions League final against Manchester City.

Werner has had four goals and two assists from 11 Champions League appearances (nine starts) this season — which is not exactly that bad.

Looking at it from a wide perspective, however, you could see why the 25-year-old has received a lot of criticism.

In 2021, the Germany international has only found the net four times in all competitions.

Four goals in almost six months is not exactly a record that anyone would have expected from the former RB Leipzig’s goalscoring machine.

Despite the statistics, Azpilicueta has jumped to Werner’s defence and insisted that the striker offers more than just goalscoring threats.

“We are human beings, when things are not going well we can suffer,” Azpilicueta said during Friday’s press conference about Werner’s poor goalscoring form.

“Sometimes, strikers are seen as the number of goals they score.

“But Timo’s overall contribution to the team; the runs he made, the penalties he won, and the assists he got, has been massive.

“Of course, as a striker, he would like to score more goals — and it’s important that he has this desire, this ambition.

“It has been his first year at Chelsea and tomorrow [in the Champions League final], he is [going to be] an important player for us.

“He can threaten [Manchester City’s defensive] line and make the difference up front.”

‘Final Analysis’

Werner might have a hard time converting the chances had, but he has certainly not had any problem in getting into dangerous positions.

The fact that Werner can outpace defenders to the ball at any point in the game often forces these defenders to position themselves deeper, and therefore creates spaces for other Chelsea players in central areas.

Bear in mind, Werner made two assists in Chelsea’s two wins over Manchester City in the FA Cup and the league under Tuchel.

Unsurprisingly, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently said that Werner is one of the reasons why Chelsea are such a difficult side to play against.

Credit: Chelsea Chronicle 

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Drama as Okpebholo Tells Peter Obi: Notify me Before Visiting Edo or Else I Can't Guarantee Your SecurityTrump Vows to Sue Rupert Murdoch as Epstein Report Opens New Rift in Their RelationshipTinubu Names IBB’s Son, Top Experts to Lead Key Nigerian Agencies2027: Labour Party Appoints Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairperson Alleged $9.6 Billion P&ID Fraud: Fleeing Briton’s Surety Arrested, Produced In CourtWhy Oil Prices Could See a Significant Upside ShiftPresidency Announces Gov Umo Eno as APC Leader in Akwa Ibom, Sparks ReactionsBreakdown of Buhari’s Family EntitlementsThaksin touts golden visa, higher travel fees to boost ThailandDangote Refinery Halts Fuel Discount Program Over Alleged Marketers Fraud2027: Intrigues as PDP Confirms Move to Bring Peter Obi Back After Atiku’s DepartureAre You Pregnant? By Johnson Babalola2027: Buhari’s exit Cripples APC in entire North as CPC Loyalists Defect in Large NumbersDrama as 16, 17-year-olds Now Allowed to Vote In UK ElectionsSenate passes $9 billion in spending cuts to public broadcasting, foreign aid requested by Trump
X whatsapp