Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel rested Timo Werner against Manchester United with Liverpool in mind
Speaking in an interview (h/t football.london) before the draw against Manchester United, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed he dropped Timo Werner in order to rest him for the Liverpool fixture.
Chelsea started against the Red Devils with a slightly changed squad from what they have been used to seeing under Tuchel. Werner, Jorginho and Marcos Alonso were all dropped to the bench.
And speaking about his decision to rest the German striker for Hakim Ziyech, the former PSG boss revealed that it was to keep him fresh for the clash against Liverpool. Werner had started the last 5 Premier League games before this.
“We had the feeling to give Timo a little break, to have him from the bench and also fresh for the fixture against Liverpool.”
Werner expected to start at Anfield
Werner has scored just 1 goal under Tuchel but he looks like he is improving on the pitch. 3 of his 9 assists this season have come under Tuchel, who said he rested the former RB Leipzig striker to give him some much-needed rest.
“I felt him a little bit tired after many games in a row so we give him a rest and let the other guys perform who deserve it.”
Werner was brought on for the Moroccan just before the 80th minute. The German striker did not have an impact on the game which went on to finish 0-0.
This was undoubtedly a good result for Liverpool, whose 2-0 win against Sheffield United on Sunday sent them within a point of Tuchel’s Blues.
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The two teams now face off on Thursday night this week. A win for Liverpool would see Jurgen Klopp’s men leapfrog Chelsea into 5th position on the table, with a chance to go 4th if West Ham United slip up.
