Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has claimed that he does “not understand” Timo Werner ’s comments hinting that he could consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.
The German striker has struggled since making the switch to West London two years ago. He joined from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig after a goal-laden spell and despite having won the Champions League during his debut campaign as a Chelsea player has scored just 23 goals over the past two seasons.
The 26-year-old has also seen the Blues re-enter the market for attacking options since his arrival with the club record signing of Romelu Lukaku - the Belgian having also struggled for consistency.
With opportunities once again looking like being at a premium in the coming season following the signing of Raheem Sterling, Werner has admitted that he could be forced to look elsewhere for game time, whilst at the same time emphasising his satisfaction with life as a Chelsea player.
He said: “First of all, the most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. I could be happy everywhere.
“It is clear I want to play more and I should play more to first be in good shape for the World Cup and, also, to have a chance to play at the World Cup.
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“I think it doesn’t change anything whether it is a winter World Cup or in the summer. I think if I play half or the season or the whole season, I should play.”
Now, Tuchel has responded to Werner’s comments. The German schemer has said that he was taken aback by his striker’s claims and that he should indeed be happy at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I’m surprised, I would be very happy as a young guy having a contract at Chelsea Football Club. I would be one of the happiest people on the planet.
“Show quality, take your place and defend your place. I would be one of the happiest people on the planet having a contract with Chelsea. If he said this, I do not understand.”
Ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, Werner has enjoyed a relatively productive pre-season. The striker scored in the Blues’ first pre-season friendly of the campaign against Club America but was left out of the squad against Charlotte FC on Thursday with an injury. Tuchel’s men lost in a penalty shootout defeat to the MLS side.
Werner currently has three years left to run on his existing contract with Chelsea having penned a lengthy, five-year deal upon his arrival. He has been linked with an exit in the past, with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund credited with an interest in him having sold Erling Haaland to Manchester City.
