How Chelsea’s £18 million man made the difference for Germany

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Andre Schurrle proved key in Germany’s World Cup win over Algeria.

But the Chelsea man’s impact was a lot more simple to explain than you may think.

Indeed, 23-year-old Schurrle did not make any more dribbles, accurate passes or crosses than his team-mates – he simply took more shots.

Shoot and you will score, as the old adage goes; and that’s what Schurrle did for Germany on Monday night, taking more shots than any other German, despite only coming on as a half-time substitute.

For all the talent of the man he replaced, Mario Gotze, the Blues forward simply offered a more direct threat, virtually shooting on sight and even proving rather wasteful, missing six of his attempts.

You cannot underestimate the value of someone who takes the game to their opponent, however, and it was the 23-year-old who got Germany’s vital breakthrough in extra-time. And Schurrle was also at hand to work with Mesut Ozil for his side’s second, sticking to the final third and providing a presence that Germany hitherto lacked against the Algerians.

Sami Khedira’s introduction, which pushed Phillip Lahm back into his natural right-back position, was also beneficial to Schurrle and his team-mates – but it was the Chelsea man who made the difference going forward.

Changing games from the bench is nothing new for the German, of course, who came on as a sub more times than anyone at his club last term. Indeed, Jose Mourinho used him as a substitute no less than 15 times – half his overall appearances – in the Premier League.

Joachim Low appears a fan of doing the same, having handed Schurrle all three of his World Cup appearances from the bench.

So far, the tactic is working. But perhaps Low will consider giving the Chelsea man a place in his next starting XI. After all, he’ll need a more direct threat when Germany face a France side that look hungry for World Cup success.