Thomas Tuchel backs Timo Werner to end goal drought

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is confident that misfiring striker Timo Werner will rediscover his scoring touch if he continues to work as hard as he did in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

The expensive summer recruit is now without a goal in his last 14 Premier League outings, but picked up a deserved man of the match award after setting up both of the Blues' goals at Bramall Lane, taking him to the top of Chelsea's assist charts for the season.

Werner is obviously not having the impact many expected of him, but speaking after the game, Tuchel insisted he is happy with his fellow German's performances, which have given him confidence that the goals will come soon.

"It was a brilliant run to assist the first goal, and it was good decision-making with the second on to go around the goalkeeper, so it was a foul," Tuchel said (via Sky Sports News).

"He got us the decisive penalty again, like he did at Tottenham. I could feel that situation at Tottenham boosted his confidence, and he has been stronger and stronger every day.

"He is more and more free, today I could really feel him on the pitch, he was absolutely in the game, physically and mentally, and he was decisive. This is the most important thing because if he can continue like this the goals will come, I am sure."

Werner also expressed his delight at his ability to influence games still, despite the fact that his struggles in front of goal are continuing.

“It was a good win for us," he said (via the Evening Standard). "It was very difficult the whole game against a very good Sheffield United defending high. For myself, again no goal but it is good to see that I can help the team with other things at the moment. I keep going.

“I am happy when we win. When I can make two assists like today it is also good but as a striker you want to score. It is a long time now for me, the longest in my career. You have to keep going and the goals will come.”

Finally, the striker also eased concerns about a potential injury he picked up. Werner was substituted midway through the second half and was seen having his leg strapped, but the German insisted there is nothing to worry about.

“It was the penalty. A dead leg, I think you call it," he added. "The ten, 15 minutes after was hard so I told the manager he should take me off because it was a tight game and it is better to have 11 fit players on the pitch than ten-and-a-half.”

For more from ​Tom Gott, follow him on ​Twitter!