Chelsea star Timo Werner has dropped major hints that his future could be away from Stamford Bridge after refusing to rule out an exit this summer.
The 26-year-old is thinking about his future as he has found regular game time hard to come by. Last summer, the arrival of Romelu Lukaku further confirmed the fact that Werner is not the first choice for manager Thomas Tuchel.
In the 21/22 season, the striker only started 15 matches in the Premier League.
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Despite Lukaku being moved on this summer, the arrival of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City has caused Werner to consider his future.
The German international scored in Chelsea’s win over Club America on Sunday and spoke to reporters afterwards, hinting that he could move away to get regular game time to boost his chances of playing for his country in the World Cup.
Werner said: “It is clear I want to play more and I should play more to be in good shape for the World Cup — and also to have a chance to play.”
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“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.”
He added: “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, it was the same when Romelu came. We had big, big competition. It’s still the same.”
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“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 XI. That’s what I try.”
Tuchel also faced questions about Werner’s future but refused to give a definite answer.
He said: “We need to see, but everybody is responsible for their own situation.”
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“Timo played 45 minutes like everybody else and scored, and from there we go.”
A major stumbling block for Werner to seek a move away from Stamford Bridge will be his wages of £270,000 a week.
If he is to tempt any bids from potential clubs, a reduction will be needed.
It remains to be seen whether Werner will still be at Chelsea by the time the transfer window draws to a close.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Timo Werner
Marcus Chan