RIO FERDINAND believes it’s time for Thomas Tuchel to give outcast Tammy Abraham an opportunity to impress.
The Chelsea boss has continued to stick with Timo Werner in attack despite his struggles in front of goal.
Werner missed a sitter against Real Madrid last night after Thibaut Courtois stopped him from just yards out.
It could prove vital in the tie after the European giants battled out a 1-1 draw in their first-leg.
Werner, a £47.5million summer signing, has hit just six league goals in 31 appearances since his move.
Meanwhile his team-mate Abraham has been overlooked for the first-team since Tuchel’s arrival in January.
The England striker hasn’t started a game since a 1-1 draw with Southampton on February 20 and has seen just three minutes of action since.
He was a regular under ex-boss Frank Lampard and remains the club’s top scorer this season with 12 goals.
And Ferdinand believes Werner has been given enough chances to impress and deserves some time on the bench.
Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “A young player, does he get the time that a Timo Werner, new signing gets when they come in?
“And they’re not treated with as much care and understanding of their character and cotton wool that a new signing gets.
“A new signing gets the investment but you’re investing in a young player.
“A young player adds so much value to a team but they don’t ever get that time or patience that a new signing gets.
“Tammy wouldn’t get the time Timo gets.
“He [Werner] scored at the weekend but he missed a sitter at the weekend. He missed another tonight.
“If you’re Tammy, you’re sitting there going ‘right, OK, I’ve got to be playing at least at the weekend to get myself in the shop window for the next game against Madrid.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
