Timo Werner remains unsure about his future at Chelsea after admitting he needs minutes if he is to make the Germany team for the World Cup later this year.
The 26-year-old joined from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2020 and is yet to hit the heights of his form in the Bundesliga.
Werner made 37 appearances in all competitions last season for Chelsea, 21 in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists, becoming an outcast under Tuchel, who complained about his forwards’ inability to be ruthless in front of goal.
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Romelu Lukaku has left Chelsea this summer to return to Inter Milan, but the arrival of Raheem Sterling offers Werner competition in the forward ranks.
It has been reported that Chelsea would be willing to listen to offers for the Germany international, with Werner being offered by the club in an attempt to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, but he is now Bayern Munich bound.
It’s a big season for the players next term due to the World Cup in Qatar in November. Werner is desperate to make Hansi Flick’s side, but will rely on minutes from Tuchel in west London to give him the best chance of being selected for his country.
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What the future holds for Werner is unclear. He acknowledges that he needs to play, but accepts there is competition and could look to hold discussions with Tuchel over his role in the team.
He told The Daily Mail: "It is hard to say (if clear the air talks are needed).
"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. That’s what I should take care of and the other things will come."
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Werner added: "I could be happy everywhere. It is hard to say (why I've struggled for game time).
"I didn’t ask but I think of course the manager always has different ideas, different thoughts and what you need in different games, I think in many games I was not in his thoughts so I try to change that.
"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 of the season or the whole season, I should play. It’s not different to last season.
"I think it was the same when Romelu (Lukaku) came here that we have big, big competition up front. It is still the same.
"At a big club like Chelsea you have that competition.
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"In pre-season you can show that you want to play that you are a guy who wants to be in the starting XI. That’s what I try."
Topics: Chelsea, Timo Werner, FIFA Club World Cup, Germany
Matthew Debono