Alan Smith has urged Frank Lampard to make the “right call” and let Olivier Giroud lead the line for Chelsea against Fulham.
Saturday’s derby against Scott Parker’s side is simply a must-win game for Chelsea and Lampard.
Lampard is already under pressure after securing just one win in the last five league games — a loss at Craven Cottage could mark the end of his spell as Chelsea manager.
To win, Lampard must pick the right players up front.
As they showed against Tottenham on Wednesday, Fulham could make you pay for failing to put the game to bed.
According to Smith, having Giroud up front would be Lampard’s best bet against Fulham
“Werner led the line in the limp 3-1 defeat by Manchester City, with Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham remaining unused on the bench,” he wrote on his column for the Evening Standard.
“It would be a major surprise if that happens again.
“For me, the experience of Giroud would be the right call in these pressurised circumstances, with Werner cutting in from the left side.”
CFCLOVERSLONDON VIEW
Based on form, Giroud, and even Tammy Abraham, arguably should start ahead of Werner.
The France international had seven goals in his last five starts in all competitions, failing to score in just one (v Everton).
Having Werner on the left flank, however, would not go down well with some Chelsea fans who would like to see either Callum Hudson-Odoi or Christian Pulisic start instead.While on the opposite flank, Hakim Ziyech has arguably cemented his spot as the first-choice right winger.
If Giroud starts, Werner is likely going to have to sit on the bench, although it may not be such a bad idea with the trip to Leicester City just a few days away.
Compared to Fulham’s low-block defence, Leicester City could be a better suit for Werner whose game is about exploiting the space behind defenders.
