Chelsea forward Timo Werner happy with form despite goal drought

Chelsea forward Timo Werner is happy with his recent form despite his prolonged goal drought.

The Germany international, who was signed in the summer for a fee of around £45million, has managed just one goal in his last 19 games for the club, with that coming against Sky Bet League Two side Morecambe in the FA Cup.

After appearing sluggish and off the pace at times towards the end Frank Lampard’s reign as manager, Werner showed signs of improvement and sharpness in last week’s win against Tottenham and caught the eye again on Sunday night as Chelsea won 2-1 at Sheffield United.

The 24-year-old’s darting run and cut back set up the opening goal for Mason Mount, and Werner then won the penalty that allowed Jorginho to restore the Blues’ lead early in the second half, after Antonio Rudiger’s own goal had drawn the Blades level.

“For myself, again no goal, but it’s good to see that I can help the team with other things at the moment and I’ll keep going,” Werner told the club website.

“I’m happy when we win and when I can make two assists like today that is also good, but as a striker you want to score.

“It’s a long time now for me, I haven’t had so long a period without a goal in my career before, but you can’t do anything against this.

“You have to keep going and try to do your best on the field and the goals will come.”

Werner has been operating in a different role under new boss Thomas Tuchel, playing with increased freedom after being played on each wing and through the middle under Lampard as he struggled to find his feet at Stamford Bridge.

Rather than hug the touchline, Werner now plays in a more inside forward role and looks to get in behind the defence – using his pace to full effect.

“Every manager is different in how he wants us to play,” said Werner. “He (Tuchel) gives us a lot of ideas. Now I play as a left number 10, not a left winger, so I have more space for my runs in the middle and can play behind a striker, or with a number 10 behind me as a second striker.

“So it’s very good for me and I think there were also good moves from the manager in the last two wins.”

An 18th Premier League defeat of the season halted the Blades’ recent resurgence as they look to pull off the greatest of escapes from relegation, after winning three of their previous five games in the competition.

Chris Wilder’s side host Bristol City in the FA Cup on Wednesday night when the manager hopes to have some players back from injury.

“Lys (Mousset) has had a couple of issues recently, so he’s not been involved. So we’ll see how he rocks up,” said Wilder, who could only name six substitutes from a possible nine against Chelsea.

“I think Enda (Stevens) will be back for Wednesday night, I believe he will be speaking to the medical team.

“George (Baldock) will be touch and go, but we are not too confident he will be ready for Wednesday.

“And obviously the big actors (Jack O’Connell and Sander Berge) that we are missing they are nowhere near at the moment for us.”