Lampard ‘very happy’ with Werner’s fast start at Chelsea
Frank Lampard is thrilled at how Timo Werner has adapted at Chelsea after the forward scored two first-half penalties in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes.
Werner scored the opener in the 10th minute after being brought down by Dalbert, who was then dismissed for a second yellow card after handling inside the area, allowing the 24-year-old to lash home his second.
Tammy Abraham added a third after the break as Chelsea moved onto seven points at the summit of Group E, level with Sevilla.
The two penalties were Werner’s only shots at goal, while – from his position on the left of a front three – he also failed to create any chances for his team-mates.
However, despite a relatively subdued display, the brace took Werner onto seven goals in all competitions following his arrival from RB Leipzig for a reported £47.5million.
Lampard said the deal’s completion in June, which allowed Werner to join the Blues for pre-season training, has been crucial to his impressive start.
“That he could train with us early was a big bonus for us,” he told a news conference.
“He’s adapting quickly and he’s been easy to manage. He works and plays well. I felt he had the endurance to last 90 minutes. I’m very happy with him.”
Lampard also confirmed Werner – who also scored from the spot against Krasnodar last week – is now the club’s first-choice penalty taker, replacing Jorginho.
“I spoke with Jorginho first because he has been brilliant,” he said. “I felt it was time to have a change. He was fine with that. Timo took them well today.
“Timo is [our penalty taker] as it stands now but he has to keep scoring them.”
Werner’s compatriot Kai Havertz was missing on Wednesday, with Chelsea announcing shortly before kick-off that the 21-year-old was self-isolating having tested positive for COVID-19.
“It showed up in UEFA’s testing on Monday,” Lampard said of Havertz’s positive result. “We re-tested yesterday but everyone else is negative in the squad.
“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. He’s at home isolating. He has minor symptoms but he’s fine. I spoke to him two hours before the game. He’s doing all the right things.”
