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Chelsea’s Timo Werner: I have to ignore critics or I couldn’t play
Chelsea forward Timo Werner says it would be impossible for him to play if he was not able to brush off the criticism he gets.
The Germany international spoke out after helping his country become the first team after hosts Qatar to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as he scored twice in their 4-0 victory away to North Macedonia on Monday night.
Werner has scored five goals in his past five internationals but that form is in huge contrast to that he has shown since joining Chelsea for £53million from RB Leipzig in June of last year.
The deal was a coup with Liverpool also after the 25-year-old but Werner scored just six goals in 35 Premier League games last season, despite starting 29 of those matches.
Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5m arrival from Inter Milan in the summer has limited his chances this term and although he started the season opener against Crystal Palace, he began the next four League games on the bench.
Werner did score on his last appearance for Chelsea and impressed in the 3-1 win over Southampton, and he explained on Monday night how he never doubts his ability, despite what other people are saying.
He said: “It has to roll off you, because if I had been thinking too much about the days, then I would not have been able to play today.
“At some point the barrel will be full. I know what I can do and so I go into every game with that mindset.”
Werner did not score in the 2-1 win over Romania on Friday, a rare recent blank for him on the international stage, and his positioning in that match was questioned by manager Hansi Flick.
Despite that, Werner was full of praise for the way Flick has helped him.
“He’s very good for me. If a coach likes you and relies on you, it helps every player,” said Werner.
“As a striker, I especially need to be trusted externally. I’m trying to pay it back and I hope that I can keep giving it back.”
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