Further doubt has been cast over the future of Timo Werner following Chelsea's pre-season clash with Charlotte FC. The 26-year-old, who was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's squad for the bout due to injury, has faced an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after failing to cement a first-team role in west London.
Werner, who sees his contract at the club expire in 2025, has featured 37 times for the Blues in Premier League since Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard, directly contributing towards just eleven goals. The Germany international has struggled to justify minutes and has been heavily linked with an exit.
And, with a potential move on the cards amid thin interest in the striker, he's already admitted that he could 'be happy everywhere'. Werner has also made it clear that, despite his misfortune since penning a deal at Chelsea two years ago, he's intent on working himself into Tuchel's plan.
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"I could be happy everywhere," Werner said. "The most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That's the fact. That's what I should take care of, and other things will come."
"The manager always has different ideas, different thoughts and what you need in different games. In many games, I was not in his thoughts, so I try to change that. It is not different to last season, and it was the same when Romelu came. We had big, big competition. It's still the same.
"At a big club like Chelsea, you have that competition. In pre-season, you can show that you want to play, that you are a guy who wants to be in the starting eleven. That's what I try."
But, the Blues boss' bluntness and reluctance to answer questions regarding the German's future may not bode well with several weeks of the window in play. Speaking to football.london, following the west Londoners' 1-1 draw with Charlotte, Tuchel explained why Werner was not in the squad.
"Hamstring problems and we didn't take the risk," the Chelsea boss said before being asked whether he had seen Werner's aforementioned comments regarding his future. "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."
Tuchel was then asked how Werner could improve his chances of getting greater game time at Chelsea before Todd Boehly is forced into a decision. He answered: "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."
Then, when quizzed as to whether the £59.6million-rated striker is in his plans next season, Tuchel replied: "Sure, he is our player, sure."
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