Timo Werner must be one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team sheet at Wembley on Sunday.
Providing the German has recovered from his exertions at the Bernabeu, he is a must-start against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final.
The £45million forward will never be everyone’s cup of tea, but Tuchel is finally getting a tune out of him and, right now, he is a part of Chelsea’s strongest attack.
His future remains uncertain. There are doubts as to whether he is suited to Premier League football or if he will ever iron out the creases in his game to be a consistent goal-scorer at the highest level. He could go this summer, with Borussia Dortmund among the clubs interested in handing him an escape route.
But for nuisance factor alone, he is carving out a role in Tuchel’s team — and at the Bernabeu on Tuesday he may have produced his finest performance in a Chelsea shirt.
Real Madrid will not soon forget his contribution to a Champions League classic, with his wonderfully-taken goal putting Chelsea on the brink of an historic comeback. It was as spectacular as it was unexpected.
Werner’s composure to ride the challenges of Casemiro and David Alaba in a frantic box before finding the bottom corner with his shot was out of keeping with the erratic finishing that has been so prevalent and frustrating since he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
The Germany forward’s work-rate and ability to get behind defenders has never been in doubt, but his wastefulness and decision-making have undermined the good work he does elsewhere. Even at the Bernabeu there were the typically frustrating moments in the final third, but his relentless running off the shoulder of the last man constantly pulled Real out of shape.
His goal crowned a wonderful display — and on the back of his double against Southampton last weekend, he is enjoying a purple patch that Tuchel cannot ignore as he bids to keep Chelsea’s season alive at Wembley.
Top four may not be guaranteed, but it would take a remarkable collapse in the final weeks of the campaign to see Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League.
So, after the defence of their European crown came to an end in Madrid, Tuchel will know the importance of ending the season on a high, with an FA Cup final to look forward to and the potential of a third piece of silverware of the campaign to go along with the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
That they will face Manchester City or Liverpool if they progress past Palace will only add extra glamour and significance to the occasion.
Victory could serve as an early statement of intent as they look to break the dominance of English football’s top two next season.
It is far from clear whether Werner will be a part of that expected title challenge, with the balance of the Blues’ attack a key issue Tuchel plans to address.
But his current form demands another start at Wembley — and maybe even suggests he could yet have a bright future at the club.
