Chelsea: 4-1-3-2 will likely get Timo Werner back on his feet

Chelsea needs to get Timo Werner scoring, so here’s a suggestion as to how that can be done while maximizing the Blues’ depth at center forward.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has to get his high-scoring center forward, Timo Werner, back on the score sheet. This is necessary to get the best out of the Blues’ reconditioned 2020/21 squad, which has struggled as of late. Getting Christian Pulisic back healthy is massive and when Hakim Ziyech gets fit, he’s going to make a huge difference himself. Yet, Werner’s goals have to be a big part of any drive toward titles. One way to get the German’s confidence back may be to unlock his talents and change his luck, is to get him back at center forward—a change of formation to a 4-1-3-2 might accomplish both. Here’s why it could work.

First, it’s clear that playing on the left wing isn’t working at present for Werner, though it may have at Leipzig previously. He’s had bad luck and struggled to unlock his game on the left. With Pulisic back in the XI, he can be moved elsewhere. The American is rounding back into form and fitness and he is a lot to handle for any defense. Werner, therefore, has to be used at center forward. This will have several benefits as it plays Werner in his best position, in the middle. He has more flexibility and room there and will get better shots for his explosive right foot. It’s just not working on the left and something needs tweaking.

Second, a dual striker formation would enable the Blues to better utilize their outstanding depth at center forward. Having either Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham on the pitch is an asset. They are both now in form after Abraham’s brace against West Ham and goal against the Gunners; Giroud just scores all the time, if he is rested. Overuse will negate this great form, however, and it needn’t happen. Using both Werner and Abraham/Giroud together gives Chelsea more goal-scoring power up front—a lethal combination. The two wingers will be comprised of two of Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi. That’s plenty of rotational firepower to utilize in forward positions.

Complementing that front four could be a somewhat deeper-lying No. 10, a role primarily for Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and maybe even Billy Gilmour. Defensive midfield must be manned by N’Golo Kante as the midfield sweeper with Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho able rotate in at times. Mount as a deeper-lying No. 10 provides cover on counters with his awesome work rate, but also provides link-up with the four other forwards. Havertz can also get plenty of time in that position, as well.

This is not suggested as an every-game formation, as a 4-3-3 is the optimum for Chelsea with all of its resources fit and available. Pulisic, Werner, Giroud or Abraham and Ziyech upfront; Mount, Kante and Havertz in midfield and a back four of Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, and Reece James is the best team Chelsea can field when all is sorted and done. Until that time though, it could very well be helpful to sport a different formation with two center forwards, utilizing the team’s unique strength at that position and throwing a curveball at opposing defenses as well.

This will also take some pressure off Werner to score, though this formation may very well allow him to do just that—after all, that is the point—and adds a new dimension for opposing central defenders to contend with, as the back-to-the-goal Giroud holds up play and sends Werner in on goal with his great passing ability as one option.

That’s how Chelsea can better utilize one of its greatest strengths and get the great scorer Werner scoring goals, as well. Until the German gets going and the unfit players are back into the team, the Blues need a little something to shake things up—this formation might just do the trick.