Alan Shearer and Ashley Cole have heaped praises on Timo Werner for his outstanding performance in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The German star caused City problems throughout the clash with his runs in behind and he laid on the assist for match-winner Hakim Ziyech in the second half.
There were warning signs for Guardiola’s side early on, with Ziyech only denied a first-half opener because Werner was narrowly offside, but they were unable to stop Chelsea’s quick counter-attacking as a similar move resulted in a goal later in the game.
Werner has come under huge criticism for his struggles in front of goal in his first campaign in the Premier League but former Newcastle striker Shearer was hugely impressed by his efforts.
‘It was a brilliant run from Werner and Ziyech just has to put it in the back of the net,’ Shearer told the BBC. ‘We said about Werner before the game, we highlighted some of the sitters he’s missed this season but that’s why he was in the team today.
‘That’s why he was asked to play on the last defender to run in behind because he knew City would struggle.’ ‘Chelsea deserved it, they were the ones that created the chances.’
Cole, the former Chelsea and Arsenal left-back, also praised Werner’s movement and felt his ‘decoy runs’ allowed Ziyech opportunities to get in behind.
- Thomas Tuchel names the two best clubs in Europe
- Erling Haaland names 7 strikers that are currently better than him
- Chelsea players ‘shocked’ by Tuchel’s decision to leave Tammy Abraham out of FA Cup semi-final game
‘This is why I love the way Werner plays. He isolates people, he drops a little bit deeper, that decoy run and then you get Ziyech running in behind in between the two centre-backs.
‘That caused Manchester City problems all day, to be honest.’
