08 October,2021 10:49 AM IST | HamHamburg | AFP
Timo Werner. Pic/AFP
Germany can edge closer to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup by beating Romania in Hamburg on Friday with Chelsea striker Timo Werner under pressure to maintain his goal-scoring run for the national team.
The Germans have struggled to find a reliable striker since Miroslav Klose retired in 2014 after setting an all-time record of 16 goals at World Cup finals. "You need a killer instinct up front," former Germany striker Mario Gomez said.
"If you don't have a robust centre-forward, you have to think of other solutions," Gomez added, and that's what [Germany head coach] Hansi Flick is doing."
Werner has managed only two goals in eight Chelsea games this season, but is on a good run for Germany having hit the net in all three September internationals. A clinically taken close-range goal against Liechtenstein, a tap-in against Armenia, and a scrappy effort which went in off the post late on against Iceland boosted Werner's record to 19 goals in 45 internationals. Yet his tally of 14 goals in 60 games for Chelsea is a poor return compared to the 95 he scored in 159 matches for previous club RB Leipzig before last year's transfer to Stamford Bridge.
Werner arrived in the German camp after scoring his first EPL goal for Chelsea since April in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton and eager to learn more from Flick. "For me, it's great that Flick clearly says how you can improve, he's always very positive, not just critical," said Werner, who says Flick gives players the impression "that he wants to work with you."
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