Andre Schurrle is a seasoned German international who has won over 40 caps since his debut in 2010, scoring 17 goals. Haven signed for Chelsea in the summer transfer window of 2013 for £18 million, the Ludwigshafen born striker was destined for great things. Being a winger who is immensely blessed with raw pace, a good work ethic and a willingness to pull the trigger, he is a player perfectly suited to Jose Mourinho’s system. Surely nothing could have gone wrong. He actually had an impressive first season under his belt, scoring eight goals in 30 Premier League matches.
Haven fallen in the pecking order in the national team behind the likes of Thomas Muller, Schurrle made the best out of his bit-part role in the World Cup, and even assisting the trophy-winning goal by Mario Gotze. Upon resuming from his extended break the 24-year-old quickly picked up from where he left off, putting in some good performances with goals against Burnley and Manchester City coming to mind.
However his brief illness, coupled with the resurgence of Willian, has led to the young German finding first team opportunities few and far between. Right now, Andre Schurrle is a shadow of his former self. He is lacking both in match fitness, confidence and belief—he has been poor for quite some time now. Putting in two recently woeful performances away to Southampton and home to Watford, big questions are now being asked of him at Chelsea. In both games, he was subbed off at half time for the more effective Willian.
Mourinho has to seriously consider reinventing Andre Schurrle to play as a centre forward. Haven played as a supporting striker to Stefan Kiebling in a 4-4-2 during his Leverkusen days, his game is more suited to a central role. He has played there too for the national side. Although he was ineffectual in his first game for the club in that role (versus Manchester United in 2013), his Premier League performance against Fulham in March 2014 in that role was fantastic; he bagged an impressive hat-trick in the 3-0 win.
His movement off the ball is essentially predatory, working the channels all game long. Also, he obviously has an excellent finishing ability too. Coupled with his pace and work rate, Schurrle has all the makings of a prolific striker. Despite never really been given a run of games in that role in a Chelsea shirt, we cannot judge him for what he is not. With Loic Remy capable of filling in out wide, surely this is the time to try something different. The resurgence of Andre Schurrle can make all the difference for Chelsea this season.
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