VICTORIOUS Chelsea debutant Timo Werner admitted he was in agony as he sported a huge ice-pack on his injured knee – but insisted he WILL face Liverpool on Sunday.
The Germany striker was clattered by home keeper Maty Ryan when winning Jorginho’s penalty opener as the Blues beat Brighton 3-1.
Chelsea new boy Timo Werner won a penalty on his debut but paid for the collision with this injury and ice pack
Brighton keeper Maty Ryan concedes what was a painful penalty for contrasting reasons for the home club and Chelsea striker Timo Werner Credit: AFP or licensors
Timo Werner still played the whole game despite a knock from the 23rd minuteCredit: Rex Features
But despite saying it “hurt a lot” he promised to be ready for this weekend’s Stamford Bridge clash with the Premier League champions: “Of course. Games like this you are always fit.”
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard praised Werner and his international team-mate Kai Havertz after their promising first game in the Prem.
Lamps said: “Timo’s speed to win the penalty showed he is sharp and he was a threat all night.
“He is very mobile and I liked his performance.
I don’t care about the injury. In one week it will be good. I am happy we get the penalty as it was important for the game.
Timo Werner
“With Kai we saw a lot as well. To get these minutes will only be good and both of them will be huge players for this club.”
And as he sported a massive strapping on his left leg, a smiling Werner told Sky Sports: “The knee of the goalkeeper hit directly my knee and my muscle went hard.
“It hurt a lot to move because the muscle went hard but at the end I am very happy we won.
“I don’t care about the injury. In one week it will be good. We did a good game today and I am happy we get the penalty as it was important for the game.”
The ex-RB Leipzig superstar, 24, added: “We can do much better than today but I think we win the game with a lot of players in our team who haven’t played any games.
“Maybe not right now but in the next few weeks we will get very fit and confident when we win more games like this. I think we will get a very strong team for this season.”
But he admitted he was shocked by the contrast between the Bundesliga and top-flight English football.
He said: “The Premier League is different football.
“The defenders I have never played like ones like this before they are so tall and so big and massive defenders.
“But the game is really fun for me because in the first half I have got a lot of space to do runs and when we can do this and make the final passes we missed tonight myself and others will get chances to score premier league goals. I am happy to be here.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
