Timo Werner has admitted that the last few weeks have been difficult for him on a personal note, after the Chelsea forward scored his first goal of the season.
Romelu Lukaku‘s £97.5million move from Inter Milan last month has meant restricted game time for the Germany international, who has started just three times under Thomas Tuchel in all competitions this season so far.
However, Werner was given the nod to start against Aston Villa in the Blues‘ Carabao Cup third round victory on Wednesday evening and took his chance, scoring a precise header in the second-half.
The 25-year-old’s goal was Chelsea’s only of the game before Villa equalised and took the game to a penalty shootout.
Many expected Werner to take a spot-kick in the shootout, but he admitted after the game that he felt something in his calf, so decided to leave the responsibility to his fitter team-mates.
After the win, Werner opened up on his first goal of the season and how difficult it has been for him recently with the lack of minutes he’s been given on the pitch.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, he said: “It’s good to be back on the score sheet, good to score at Stamford Bridge and I’m happy that I’m back on the pitch.
“I think that the last few weeks were not very easy for me, but every goal, every assist brings me back on track, so it was good for me today and also for the team.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Werner also commented on the timing of his goal, with the German opening the scoring on 54 minutes, not too long after the second-half kicked off.
He said: “I think both teams gave everything. Aston Villa were a very tough opponent and they showed why they are always very hard to play against.
“I think in the second half we were lucky to score an early goal, it gave us a little bit of a push, but 10 or 15 minutes after the goal we lost a bit of control when we conceded.
“After that we wanted to finish the game in 90 minutes, it was important. In the end it didn’t happen, but good penalties at the end saved us.”
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero for Chelsea in the penalty shootout, with the Spaniard saving Marvelous Nakamba’s spot-kick.
This isn’t the first time Kepa has been the hero in a shootout, with the goalkeeper showing his talents from 12 yards in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Villarreal earlier in the season.
Werner called his team-mate a “great goalkeeper”. The German striker added: “Kepa is unbelievable in penalty shoot-outs.
“This season already he has saved us two opportunities to win titles. He’s a great guy and a great goalkeeper.”