Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star - 7M sport

Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star



Posted Sunday, December 27, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Chelsea forward Timo Werner endured another evening to forget in their 3-1 drubbing away at Arsenal on Boxing Day - and Frank Lampard needs to take his struggling star out of the firing line

Timo Werner’s miserable run of form continued in Chelsea ’s 3-1 defeat away at Arsenal on Boxing Day.

Frank Lampard ’s men came unstuck against their struggling London rivals, who went in at the break two goals to the good thanks to Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty and an exquisite Granit Xhaka free-kick.

And they compounded the visitors’ misery in the second half, with Bukayo Saka adding a third 10 minutes after the restart.

Tammy Abraham pulled one back for Chelsea late on, but Jorginho's missed penalty in stoppage time embodied their below-par performance on the night and ensured Arsenal still ran out comfortable winners.

The Blues were on the wrong end of a Christmas stuffing at The Emirates, despite heading into the match 11 points clear of Mikel Arteta’s 15th-place side.

Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star
Chelsea were on the wrong end of a Christmas stuffing away at Arsenal on Boxing Day

It proved another evening to forget for Werner, who was replaced at half-time after putting in another dreadful display.

The Germany striker seems utterly devoid of confidence, with his scoreless run now extending to 10 matches.

Lampard is doing his £54million recruit no favours by continuing to pick him at the minute - and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s bright performance off the bench shows he should replace him in the starting XI.

Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star
Timo Werner’s miserable run of form continued in the defeat

After entering the fray at half-time, Hudson-Odoi immediately whipped in a terrific cross that should have been headed home, which was more than Werner achieved in the entire opening 45 minutes.

Late on in the game, the 20-year-old glided past an Arsenal defender in the box before picking out Abraham, who chested the ball home to add a consolation for the crestfallen Blues.

Werner, who arrived with plenty of hype when he joined from RB Leipzig in the summer, recently admitted he is struggling to cope with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star
Werner was hooked at half-time and replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was much brighter in attack

"The Premier League is a little bit different to the old league that I used to play in,” he said.

"I have to say it’s tougher than I thought. The contact here is harder than in Germany.”

Until Werner adjusts to the speed and power the English top flight brings, Lampard should take him out of the firing line and give Hudson-Odoi more game time.

Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal proves Frank Lampard must replace Timo Werner with in-form star
Lampard needs to take Werner out of his starting XI (Image: GETTY)

Hakim Ziyech is also set to return from injury in an estimated week’s time, meaning Werner should fall even further down the pecking order when he is back fit and firing.

The misfiring forward’s confidence is well and truly shot to bits, and his latest stinker in Chelsea’s Boxing Day drubbing at Arsenal will surely force Lampard to demote his summer signing.



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