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Football London
Football London
Sport
Oliver Harbord

Frank Lampard's Timo Werner dilemma after Chelsea's win over Leeds United

Timo Werner went on a superb run for Chelsea, however things have gone a little stale for the German.

The 24-year-old has not scored in five appearances for the Blues and has looked like a forward struggling a little in front of goal.

That doesn't sound like a usual problem for a player who scored 44 Bundesliga goals in two seasons for RB Leipzig.

The Germany international had a bright start to life in England, having notched up four Premier League goals and another three in the Champions League, all from the spot.

Frank Lampard on Callum Hudson-Odoi

It is an argument to say, however, that Werner is not playing in his preferred position, playing out left rather than through the middle.

He has been pushed out to the wing to make way for Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud, who have both deserved their chances to start.

In recent games, Werner's misses have been high profile and often, no more so than the chances squandered against Leeds United.

His first was the biggest, when Olivier Giroud flicked a header that looked like it was sneaking in, but Werner tried to apply the finishing touch.

However, all he managed to do was clear it off the line for Leeds, and then flicked his follow-up effort on to the bar.

"At half-time I asked and it was maybe the post or inside but it's okay," Giroud said.

In the second half, he had several good chances to kill the game off, but failed to do so, being denied by goalkeeper Illan Meslier on every occasion.

But despite his wastefulness in front of goal, he still managed to have a big impact in the game, setting up the final goal.

Even in the 93rd minute he had the pure pace to leave his defender completely behind, before crossing in to Christian Pulisic to tap home.

Werner has been a constant presence for Lampard this season, and the dilemma comes over whether or not he should be rested more, to really get the best out of him.

He has started all 11 Premier League games so far and four of the five Champions League matches to date.

No doubt he will be left on the bench for the last Group E match against Krasnodar on Tuesday night to rest, coming back in for the Everton clash next weekend.

Werner looks like he is striving for that goal to get back, and it certainly feels that one goal could be the start of a flood of goals for Werner.

He is going to be a big player for the Blues and has all the attributes to be a massive success in the Premier League.

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