Rio Ferdinand has been proven right following Mason Mount's superlative display against Real Madrid. The former Manchester United defender tipped the Cobham graduate to ignite Timo Werner into action against the odds.
The Germany international's feature in the Blues' starting eleven stemmed from his impressive display against Southampton at the weekend. Mount, who featured alongside Werner at St Mary's, has proved pivotal - once again - in the striker recapturing the form he once enjoyed at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
The former Manchester United defender showered the England international with praise on BT Sport ahead of the tie. Ferdinand stressed that the 23-year-old's 'infectious' personality on the pitch would help Werner prove his doubters wrong.
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"The game at the weekend, obviously the morale jumps up again," he said. "You get over games with good results and good performances, so the morale will be much better than it was a week ago.
"They were free-flowing, free-scoring, and I think morale does good things to certain players, especially to those who are lacking a bit of confidence like Timo Werner. I think Mason Mount, we all know how good this kid is and how infectious he is with and without the ball, and for him to get on the scoresheet as well, it bodes well for the game today rather than going in down on their knees."
Low and behold, Mount and Werner combined to give Chelsea the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. Former Liverpool midfielder Steve Mcmanaman detailed the striker's role in the Blues opening their account.
"Their play deserved this goal," he said. "I know it came early on in the game, and it was great movement and great closing down and a great touch from Timo Werner into the path of Mason Mount, who bends it into the corner.
"It was a wonderful goal, and they deserved it. This is the Chelsea that we know and who can compete in the Champions League."
Ferdiand added: "We talked up Timo Werner following the weekend, and he hit the woodwork about three times that day, so he has found that little bit of confidence.
"And, in this game, he didn’t look like a player who had only played a few games over the past couple of months. I thought he was very bright today, and I’m sure he has come in and done exactly what Thomas Tuchel asked him to do. He stretched them, was bold and was busy, and he got his goal and an assist."
