Chelsea forward Timo Werner too ‘erratic’ and should be replaced with ‘big striker’, claims Gabby Agbonlahor
CHELSEA forward Timo Werner should be replaced by a ‘big striker’, according to former Aston Villa man Gabby Agbonlahor.
The German arrived at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of the season with a weight of expectation on his shoulders having been purchased for £53million from RB Leipzig.
But he has struggled to hit the ground running in English football, netting just 12 times in 49 appearances for the Blues.
And while his all-round play has improved of late, Agbonlahor still feels it is time for Blues boss Thomas Tuchel to explore other options.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as it’s his first season, but the more I’m seeing of him he’s making the wrong decision.
“He picked the ball up, running at two defenders and takes a wild shot over the bar when it’s best to make a pass and another run.
“He seems a bit too erratic and Chelsea, with their history with the likes of Didier Drogba and the strikers they’ve had in the past, they need to go out and buy a big, big striker who can score goals and turn up in the big games.”
Werner was replaced in the 82nd minute of the FA Cup final by Olivier Giroud on Saturday, which Chelsea lost 1-0 to Leicester.
While he has received a lot of criticism for his finishing, the German has become more of a provider for the team in recent times.
Werner has racked up 11 assists for the Blues in all competitions this season, more than any other player in the squad.
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But his manager Tuchel did have some strong words for him two weeks ago.
Speaking after Werner missed a glaring chance in the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, the German boss said: “He missed a big one at West Ham and missed another one here, that doesn’t help.
“But it also does not help to cry about it, or to regret it all the time.
“It is like this. There are millions of people who have harder things to deal with than chances you miss, so this is the good thing about sport. Nobody cares tomorrow.”
Despite Werner’s lack of goals, Chelsea have advanced through to the final of the Champions League, against Manchester City at the end of this month.
They have also shot up the Premier League table since Tuchel arrived at the end of January, climbing from tenth up to fourth.
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