Zola claims Lampard is using Werner in the wrong position

Although Frank Lampard has preferred to use striker as a central striker with

Tammy Abraham

and

Olivier Giroud

as his alternatives,

Chelsea’s

legend,

Gianfranco Zola

, believes the German forward should be an alternative in wide areas along

Callum Hudson-Odoi

, as the 24-year-old is not cut out to be a central striker.

The Blues legend told talkSPORT:

“I think Werner has got very good qualities, unbelievable qualities, but in my opinion he plays best when he’s got a lot of pitch in front of him, when he has to attack the space.

“The problem with Chelsea is that there many times you play a team that is defending deep; that is a different matter and in that case players with the ability of Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham, they can do better in that contest.

“So if you want to play Werner, maybe it’s right to play him in the wide areas. Also, I think it’s down to Timo to work and also be effective when the spaces in front of him are less and work as a team.

“This could be a strength for Chelsea, because if you’ve got many players with ability you have to understand very well the abilities of the players and use them differently in the games, because not every game is the same.”

Zola

backed the under-fire

Chelsea’s

manager despite the Blues have taken just four points from their last six Premier League games. The 54-year-old Italian believes his fellow

Chelsea

legend will come good if patience is shown.

Concerning the Blues’ inconsistency, he said:

“There are some issues that need to be addressed, something has to be improved for sure, but I believe Frank has the potential, the ability and he has the squad to make it better, that’s for sure and without question for me.

“The balance needs to be better but this will come; it will come through work and experience, it’s something that doesn’t come in a week or a month.

“The expectations are very high and the demands from the club are to get results and to get trophies.

“I understand exactly the situation Frank is going through. Sometimes it’s about trust and believing a coach can do well, can face the circumstances and get the best out of it – I think that is the point, really. There’s still a lot to play this season.”