Chelsea are through to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had to work hard for their 2-1 victory against Plymouth Argyle but eventually got the job done in extra-time, with penalty specialist Kepa Arrizabalaga also saving a spot kick from Ryan Hardie in the 118th-minute.
Marcos Alonso netted the winner for Chelsea in the additional 30 minutes of play after Cesar Azpilicueta cancelled out Macauley Gillesphey’s opener at Stamford Bridge in the first half.
The Blues were far from at their best on Saturday afternoon, with record signing Romelu Lukaku once again struggling up top.
Chelsea need to start seeing the best of him very soon, otherwise they’re simply going to have to look at other options in attack.
Timo Werner is a potential replacement, although the Germany international didn’t exactly cover himself in glory against Plymouth after entering the fray in the 82nd-minute.
Just before the start of second half stoppage-time, the former RB Leipzig man appeared to be through on goal from Lukaku’s pass, but he slowed down at the very last second and allowed James Wilson to make a brilliant slide tackle.
To say it looked like a strange decision by Werner would be an understatement…
Video: A lack of commitment from Werner v Plymouth?
This is £272,000 per week worth of commitment btw. Embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/p9RvtlIplh
— Harry (@Yerdas_in) February 5, 2022
— Footy Lover (@FootyLover3) February 5, 2022
What in the world was Werner doing there???
One of the strangest, most cowardly decisions we can ever remember seeing from a striker. That was embarrassing.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 5, 2022
What is Werner doing? GO FOR THE BALL!
Any attempt would have resulted in a penalty at least.
— Sripad (@falsewinger) February 5, 2022
Fact: Timo Werner chickened out of that goal scoring opportunity.
🐓— Mitch (@MitchBelfast) February 5, 2022
What on earth was he doing?! You rarely see something like that from a professional footballer, especially from one who normally runs himself into the ground and gives 110%.
If he’d have continued at full pace, Werner would either have had an easy chance to score or been upended by Wilson and earned his team a spot kick.
Werner did at least play a positive role in Alonso’s match-winning goal, so his cameo against Plymouth wasn’t all bad.
But he needs to start finding the back of the net, something he’s managed to do on only six occasions this season – including just once in the Premier League.
Granted, he hasn’t always been in the starting XI, although you still expect far more from a striker who cost around £50 million.
