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Timo Werner fears Chelsea will have a hard time putting together a sustained challenge for the Premier League title after Frank Lampard’s charges were tied by Southampton on Saturday afternoon. The Blues led 2-0 and 3-2, but ended up denying all three points at Stamford Bridge.
Jannik Vestergaard secured a well-earned point for the visiting Saints in injury time as Chelsea suffered their second 3-3 draw of the season.
The Londoners have conceded nine goals in five games, and their current goals against per game project that they will concede nearly 70 goals this season.
Chelsea conceded 54 times in 38 games last season and spent heavily in the summer to bolster their squad, with Werner coming from RB Leipzig as part of his over £ 200m spending.
But early signs are that their bottom line has not improved enough if Chelsea are to close the gap with Manchester City and Liverpool, who finished 15 and 33 points ahead of Lampard’s side respectively last season.
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City and Liverpool have also suffered setbacks earlier this season, losing 5-2 and 7-2 to Leicester and Aston Villa respectively, but are expected to return more to the dominant forces that have been in the past two years in the last weeks and months to come.
And Werner worries that unless he and his teammates can shore up the defense, they will lag behind contending teams for the league title.
The German scored a brilliant first-half double against Southampton for his first goals in English football, but Chelsea were still unable to pull off a victory despite their 4-0 win at Crystal Palace before the international break offered hope of that his new gear were starting to gel.
“The first half we played very well. When you get a goal two or three minutes before the break it’s not easy. You have to think with a clear head,” Werner said.
“Southampton pushed us a lot and pushed us high. We gave them too much in terms of opportunities. We have to win the game.
“I’m happy with the goals but I want to win the game. 50 percent I’m happy, 50 percent not.”
“I don’t know if we have any problems but the last three games we conceded six goals and this is not where we want to be, to compete for titles.
“In Germany we always say that the defense wins titles. If we concede that many, it is difficult to win games and win titles.”
Chelsea manager Lampard was equally frustrated, but said after the game that he felt the first-half performance was the best he has seen from his side this season.
He told BBC Sport: “If you raise two goals you want to finish it off. It was the best we’ve played this season at this stage.
“But Southampton are a good team. They put pressure on us with the ball. They put pressure on us after the first goal.
“My message at halftime was that the goal shouldn’t change too much. We never reached the same levels in the second half. We can do better.”
He added about his team’s continuing defensive problems: “We are seeing a lot of goals across the league and no coach is happy. I don’t know why.
“There are attacking players in this league and maybe the preseason and lack of work time play an important role. But we have to improve.”
Lampard also praised Werner’s class of two goals and insisted that he expects the German international to continue in good form in his first year in the Premier League.
“They are great goals. The second in terms of equipment was class, but Timo has a lot to do,” said the Blues boss enthusiastically.
“Those moments will come from him and other players. But we have to be more solid and making individual mistakes gives opportunities to other teams.”
Chelsea are back in action in the middle of the week with their first Champions League group stage game against Europa League champions Sevilla on Tuesday night (8pm).
Their next outing in the top flight will see them go head-to-head with Manchester United at Old Trafford next Saturday (5:30 pm).
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