Chelsea striker, Timo Werner, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy have proven to be a value for money by holding on o the number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues paid £47.6m and £22.m respectively for the pair, who seemed to have settled into the team.
The German striker has racked up impressive statistics since joining the club in June from RB Leipzig. This could be down to his early preparation as he resumed training at Stamford Bridge immediately after the Bundesliga season ended and he didn’t partake in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the German club before eventually suffering a 3-0 defeat in the hands of PSG.
6/10 – Timo Werner has scored six of his 10 UEFA Champions League goals from the penalty spot; this is the most penalties scored for any player's first 10 goals in the competition, overtaking Arturo Vidal (five). Spotted. pic.twitter.com/S1UGZoZgpC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2020
The 24-year-old now has 7 goals in 11 games for Chelsea as he began his goalscoring exploit against Southampton.
Apart from being a prolific scorer, Werner has been involved in seven goals in his last seven Champions League games (four goals and three assists). He has scored his last four Champions League goals from penalties (and even five of the last seven).
Chelsea looking stable as Timo Werner leads the line while Edouard Mendy gives assurance at the back
Since recording consecutive draws against Southampton, West Brom, and Manchester United, Chelsea looked a bit settled, beating Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor, then cruising past Kranosdar and now Rennes show their level of progress.
Mendy has been keeping the stead for the Blue in between the sticks as he continues his good runs in the team as well.
The Senegalese looked to have settled the goalkeeper crisis at Stamford Bridge as he has so far lived up to expectation whenever he is called into action.
Mendy has so far been involved in seven matches for Chelsea since securing a move from Rennes keeping clean sheets in all. His biggest challenge so far came against Manchester United, but the goalie stopped Marcus Rashford twice from sealing the winner for the hosts.
He has helped bring confidence to the backline of the Blues. Even if they fluff their lines sometimes, they are assured that the goalkeeper can come to their rescue when called upon.
His performance against his former club in the Champions League last night helped to extend Chelsea home unbeaten record in the group stage to 14. The last time the Blues lost at the Stamford Bridge in the group stage was against Valencia, winning nine and drawing the other five games in this run.
Chelsea will therefore be hoping to continue their Champions League form after the international break by going to France to get another win that will take them to the knockout stage of the competition.
Having taken full advantage of an injury-hit Rennes side who were then harshly reduced to 10 men before half-time, Timo Werner’s brace from the spot and Tammy Abraham’s tap-in was enough to do the business.
With such attacking options like Werner, Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech at Frank Lampard’s disposal, Chelsea looked more assured going forward as they continue to settle in.
Kudos to the defense that made the headlines for the wrong reason a few weeks ago. The problem has been addressed as Lampard promised. Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva have settled, Mendy has been a worthy replacement for the flawed Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Timo Werner’s stats
- Timo Werner is the first German to score two penalties in a single European Cup/Champions League match since Lothar Matthaus for Bayern Munich v Real Madrid in April 1987.
- Timo Werner is the first German to score two penalties in a single European Cup/Champions League match since Lothar Matthaus for Bayern Munich v Real Madrid in April 1987. Conversion.
