Thomas Tuchel shown why he should follow Paul Merson’s Champions League final advice
Thomas Tuchel Lays Out Chelsea Target
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Manchester City has shown why Thomas Tuchel should follow the advice that Paul Merson delivered ahead of the Champions League final. Raheem Sterling’s first-half tap-in looked to be enough to hand Pep Guardiola’s side the three points they needed to be confirmed as Premier League champions.
But Chelsea were not dominated by Guardiola’s men and requalised through Hakim Ziyech, before Marcos Alonso scored a winner deep into added time.
Tuchel again selected Timo Werner to spearhead his attack, despite the German’s abysmal goalscoring record in the Premier League.
Though he netted the Blues’ opener against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Werner has struggled to convert chances this season.
He has also been caught offside frequently, all of which led to former Arsenal star Merson suggesting that Werner should be dropped for the upcoming Champions League final.
JUST IN: Aguero urged to snub Chelsea offer as Man City legend ‘opens talks’
“Werner shouldn’t play in the Champions League final. Christian Pulisic should start against Manchester City – because he is a better finisher,” Merson wrote in a column for the Daily Star.
“I’d be shocked if Pulisic doesn’t play. He can beat two or three players and he’s better in front of goal than Werner.
“I would play him against City this weekend and see how it goes. You won’t get 10 shots a game against City, so you have to play your best finishers.”
Tuchel though elected to ignore Merson’s advice for the trip to the Etihad Stadium, handing Werner his 27th Premier League start of the season.
DON’T MISS:
Chelsea boss Tuchel makes De Bruyne transfer vow about two Blues stars (TRANSFERS)
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel must build around four stars and Kante (ANALYSIS)
Chelsea star Werner compared to Lineker but worry raised for Tuchel (INSIGHT)
But the move failed to pay off, with Werner once again failing to impress and having just one shot in the first-half.
Chelsea’s attacks also frequently broke down when Werner had the ball, with the 25-year-old making the wrong decision on several occasions.
Werner wated the one shot he did have in the first period, curling the ball harmlessly side of Ederson’s goal about being played through by Billy Gilmour.
His penchant for being caught offside reared its head again as well, with Werner seeing a goal disallowed in both halves after putting the ball into the back of the net.
This was supposed to a dress rehearsal for this season’s Champions League final and Tuchel can take home several important lessons ahead of it.
One of those lessons should be to follow Merson’s advice and drop Werner for Chelsea’s first chance of lifting the Champions League since 2012.
While Tuchel is not a fan of the other strikers in the Chelsea squad, there are other options that the German manager could use.
One of those is to play Pulisic through the middle, while the Blues also had success when Kai Havertz was selected as a false nine.
If Chelsea are to convert their chances and lift the Champions League, it appears that Werner should not be the leading striker.
Source: Read Full Article