However, things didn’t work out. Werner failed to be the goalscoring machine he was in the Bundesliga, and the club eventually started to look for new options up front. In August 2022, Chelsea sent him back to Leipzig for €20 million.

Werner still enjoyed some memorable moments with the Blues, including the 2022 UEFA Champions League success against Manchester City—whom he’ll face again Wednesday with his current team. Looking back at his time with Chelsea, Werner mentioned multiple factors as reasons behind his failure.

Timo Werner blames Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea board, pandemic for his struggles at Chelsea

“I had a very good first six months at Chelsea, which was what the supporters and club expected of me.I scored the goals and played good games. … Then all this gets a little bit forgotten by the manager, it was not really fair,” Werner told The Sun, in regard to then Chelsea coachThomas Tuchel. “That was also a reason I had to move back to Leipzig, to get the enjoyment again.

“The biggest problem was he put a striker like Lukaku in front of me in the second season after I won the Champions League by nearly playing every game in the first squad. That was the toughest moment for me to get a player, a very good player, in front of me for €120 million. Romelu was a big striker and had to play after costing so much and I didn’t feel honoured enough. Maybe that was also a reason why I had ups and downs.”

Werner also mentioned the managerial change at the club took a toll on him, since Frank Lampard was in charge when he joined Chelsea. He remembers having goals overturned by VAR decisions as well as missing clear sitters made his confidence drop, while the criticism from the media only made life even harder. Additionally, living alone during the lockdown may have also prevented him from performing at his best.

“In the first months, nothing was open, I was always sitting at home, spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone, to be always on games, of course that was tough.Maybe with a proper life, friends and family around me it would have been different. It’s easy to point the fingers on those things, it is what it is now,” Werner added.

It’s a shame it didn’t work out, but Werner still has plenty of time to fulfill hispotential. Going back to Germany has already helped him revitalize his career, as he is once again enjoying his game.

The Mannschaft are also the team with the most finals played (8). Duringthat process, they’ve lost four games for the title (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002). They also have four third-place finishes. However, in Russia 2018, Germany were a major disappointment after failing to surpass the group stage against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea.

In Qatar 2022, Germanyare in Group E, probably the toughest in the World Cup, alongside Spain, Costa Rica and Japan. This is definitely a young generation of players under the command of a new and extraordinary manager like Hansi Flick. That’s why many fans are surprised with the absence of such a talented striker like Timo Werner.

Why is Timo Werner missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup?

Timo Werner is out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because he suffered a left ankle injury with RB Leipzig in a Champions League’s game against Shakhtar Donetsk on November 2. At 26 years old, this seemed to be one of the greatest opportunities in his prime after the forward decided to leave Chelsea to have minutes in the Bundesliga. That move was thinking precisely in the World Cup.

Werner has 24 goals with the National Team, played in Russia 2018 and was a dazzling revelation one year earlier in the FIFA Confederations Cup. During this semester, the striker had scored 9 goals in all competitions (4 of them in the Bundesliga through 9 games).

“A very tough one to take for me! I will be out for the next weeks, will miss the World Cup and will have to support RB Leipzig and Germany from the couch unfortunately. Thanks for all your messages!”, said Werner after the medical diagnosis was confirmed. The syndesmosis ligament in his left ankle was torn and he won’t be able to return in 2022.

Therefore, the $58.3 million The Blues forked out for him looked like a bargain. However, nothing went according to plan. Werner struggled to settle in the Premier League and he ended up watching most games from the bench.

Having failed to impress after two seasons, Werner was sold back to Leipzig forthe 2022-23 campaign. Something similar happened with former Chelsea teammate Romelu Lukaku and other starsin Europe.

Romelu Lukaku

In the summer of 2021, Lukaku was in his prime andChelsea were recently crowned in Europe. While many thought their reunion would be the best for both, it left a lot to be desired. Eventually,Lukaku went back to Inter Milan only a year later in a season-long loan with nooption to buynor obligation clause. That means that the Belgian would once again return to London once his loan spell ends in2023…

Antoine Griezmann

Lukaku’s case may have taken many by surprise, but something similar happened with Antoine Griezmannlast year. After five fantastic seasons with Atletico Madrid, the Frenchman joined Barcelona for $132m in the summer of 2019. However, he never lived up to the expectations at Camp Nou and ended up returning to the Colchoneros in 2021 in a two-year loan with option to buy.

Leonardo Bonucci

The veteran defender made a shocking, $46 million move to AC Milan in 2017 after seven years with Juventus. Nevertheless, it took him only one year to realize that his place was in Turin. In 2018, the Old Lady brought Leonardo Bonucci back for $38.50m.

Mario Gotze

After a breakthrough season in which he helped Borussia Dortmund reach the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, Bayern Munich bagged $40m to acquire the services of Mario Gotze. At 21 years of age, he was one of the biggest prospects in the Bundesliga, but he struggled to perform with the Bavarians. Only three years later, Gotze returned to Dortmund for $24 million.

Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels canrelate to Gotze’s situation, although he went from one club to another more than once. Having emerged from Bayern’s academy, Hummels joinedDortmund on loan in 2008 but the deal was made permanent the following year. Even so, the center back returned to Bayern in 2016 for $38.50m… Only to go back to Borussia Dortmund three seasons later.

Kaka

The Brazilian star rose to stardom with AC Milan, where not only he tasted Champions League glory but also won a Ballon d’Or in 2007. Consequently, he caught the eye ofReal Madrid in 2009. But Kaka never performed as expected at the Santiago Bernabeu and went back to the Rossoneri as a free agent in 2013, although his second stint was not as good as his first one.

Despite what on paper should have been a decent season, Chelsea was caught up in a bit of a firestorm with issues around unhappy players like Romelu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic, as well as the sale of the club after Román Abramóvich’s UK assets were frozen.

Matchday365 did a comparison with three players at Chelsea, all three have been under the microscope by fans during the season but one of the three, the most questioned, leads the stats category big time.

Christian Pulisic dominates the stats when compared to Kai Havertz and Timo Werner

Despite all the media and social media backlash when it comes to straight stats, Romelu Lukaku is the club’s leading goal scorer with 15 and Mason Mount leads with assists at 16. The three players we will focus on now, Havertz (13G/5A), Werner (11G/6A), and Pulisic (8G/4A), have complied these numbers for the season.

To the naked eye Havertz is the most productive of the three, but when taking a closer look, it’s the USMNT star player that is leading the stats when compared to minutes played on the field per 90 min.

Pulisic leads in goals and assists when compared to his time on the field to the other two. Pulisic leads in key passes, while Havertz leads in big chances created. Successful dribbles, Progressive carries, Progressive carry distance, duels won, and percentage of duels won are all led by Pulisic.

Despite playing as a role player and having missed some matches due to injury Pulisic has been extremely productive for Chelsea, when given the opportunity to showcase his talent. By no means do these stats suggest Pulisic is a better player over the other two, but it does suggest that the American does contribute when on the pitch.

Rumors have begun to swirl that Pulisic is on the radar at Juventus and his father did tweet recently that the USMNT player is upset with his lack of playing time at Chelsea. While showcasing a lot of talent and being clutch in some big matches, Pulisic has not been able to keep it consistent with Chelsea be it for dips in form overall or injuries.

Jadon Sancho may be the biggest head scratcher, after knocking it out of the park at Borussia Dortmund his big move to Manchester United has not materialized. Timo Werner has found playing time tough to come by at a Chelsea squad which has fallen apart after the financial block the club is going through.

Ousmane Dembélé has often been criticized at Barcelona and is the subject of various transfer rumors outside of the Camp Nou. Here is a look at their drop in the market and what has caused such a drop.

What has caused Jadon Sancho’s drop in the transfer market?

According to Transfermarkt Jadon Sancho’s value has dropped 20% to $88 million. Much was expected from the young English winger at Manchester United but in only 25 games the young Sancho has 3 goals and 3 assists. Sancho has started all 90 minutes in the club’s last three games and provided a goal and assist against Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.

After not being in the lineup at the start of the season, Sancho has become a regular in the side and is beginning to adapt better to the Premier League. Manchester United has been in turmoil the whole season and that has not helped matters but a new coach and a new season may be just what the doctor ordered to get Sancho on track to becoming a big world star. The potential is clearly there and only a fool would write off Sancho just yet.

The issues of Timo Werner and Ousmane Dembélé

Timo Werner is on a different path at Chelsea, he was an unused sub against Real Madrid when Chelsea desperately needed goals in their Champions League tie. His Premier League season can best be described as terrible with 1 goal in 15 games, Werner’s value has dropped 36% to around $47 million.

Werner needs out of Chelsea which is stacked at forward and will most likely go out and find a new one since the present batch have found it difficult to score goals during this season. If Chelsea is sold and the restrictions lifted the first one to look for the door should be Werner who has been a non-factor at the club and could use a change of scenery.

Ousmane Dembélé’s value may have dropped to 40% and a market value of $33 million but he has turned the corner at Barcelona. Dembélé may not be scoring but he is assisting on goals, he has 8 assists in the last 7 games. Loved by his teammates Dembélé is finishing the season strong after a tough injury plagued start.

Given his form Dembélé has the luxury of moving on a free transfer at season’s end with a lot of takers. Rumors have Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus, Newcastle United, and Liverpool ready to sign the French international.

The reality is that the calendar for big clubs like Chelsea is very congested, and managers need to make use of their full squads in order to manage the grind of a tight schedule. Chelsea is currently third in the Premier League and first in their Champions League group, meaning the club will play more games come the new year.

Now reports have surfaced that Chelsea may lose a few players during the January transfer window, something, according to 90min, Thomas Tuchel does not want. Here are the two players in question.

Timo Werner

Timo Werner is second or third string at Chelsea at the moment, but given some injury issues to Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku, Tuchel would like to keep Werner around until the end of the season. Werner has interest from Barcelona, but given their financial situation, it’s unlikely he will move there, at least now.

Hakim Ziyech

Much further down the pecking order is Hakim Ziyech, who has seen his playing time decrease significantly with the arrival of Tuchel. Nonetheless injuries have brought Ziyech into the lineup and the Moroccan has provided assists and goals in his limited minutes. Again, Ziyech every time he takes the field only heightens his value and could move on but at the end of the season, but not in January.

Rangnick will have a powerful squad to manage with Cristiano Ronaldo and company expecting to be guided towardswinning ways fast. United are already far from the Premier League top spot but there’s still a long way to go.

Meanwhile, they have already punched a ticket to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. However, the club’s hierarchy may feel like the team could use a boost in winter, so Rangnick would have£100 million ($133m) to spend, according to The Mirror. And the new coach could go after these three players come January:

Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig)

Rangnick would target a number of players who have ties with him from his time as Sporting Director at RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Amadou Haidara is believed to be one of them, as the 23-year-old midfielder could provide an upgrade in the middle of the park. Haidara joined the Bundesliga side from Salzburg in 2019 for €19m ($21m). He has scored three times in17 appearances this season.

Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

Another player who Rangnick knows very well from his time at Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku has had a sensational breakout at the German club after emerging from PSG‘s academy. If United were to make a move for the24-year-old they might need to make a splash, as Nkunku amassed 13 goals in 20 appearances this term.

Timo Werner (Chelsea)

Another familiar face for Rangnick as the German striker has also been part of RB Leipzig before Chelsea acquired him for €53m ($59m) in the summer of 2020. Timo Werner has struggled to adjust to life in London andhas been linked to other teams recently. Needless to say, this would be a shocking move, which doesn’t lookeasy either.

The report adds one more name to the list: Erling Haaland. It’s no secret that the Borussia Dortmund goalscoring machine is arguably the most coveted striker on the planet and United are one of his admirers.

Unlike the previous candidates, Rangnick reportedly eyes him fornextsummer, when a £63m ($83m) release clause would be activated on the Norwegian’scontract. Of course, it won’t be an easy battle but Rangnick’s friendship with Haaland’s father Alf-Inge could play an important part in thenegotations.

Following many years of making bad decisions, there’s a lot of work to do at Camp Nou to turn things around. In order to get back to the top, a strong squad is a must – but with no funds, it’s hard to build a competitive roster.

Targeting free agents has become an option, whileBarca also keep an eye on players who lack playing time. That’s why they were interested in Raheem Sterling. However, asManchester City askfor a lot of money, El Blaugrana may rule out that option to focus on two Chelsea outcasts instead.

Barcelona reportedly target two Chelsea players as alternatives to Sterling

Barcelona have been linked with the English winger in the summer but a deal failed to materialize. Although the Spanish giants would still welcome the former Liverpool star, they can’t afford City’s demands as the English side also looks unwilling to let him leave.

Therefore, Los Cules would look for another option. According to ESPN, Barcelona have set their sights on Chelsea’sHakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, who have dropped in Thomas Tuchel‘s pecking order.

As theydon’t feature regularly, Barca would try to persuade the pairby offering the playing minutes theylack at Stamford Bridge. The only way they could arrive at Camp Nou, however, would bea loan deal with an option to buy, considering Barca’s tight budget.

But Chelsea will unlikely get rid of Werner or Ziyechif it’s not for a great offer. In the summer of 2020, they bagged nearly €100m for both of them, whostill have room in the squad, although their appearances have been limited this term.

Haaland is being monitored closely by Real Madrid, his most likely destination, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. Dortmund have been very cautious about selling Haaland, knowing that while under contract Haaland could become the biggest transfer in the history of the sport. Transfer rumors as high as 200 million Euros have been thrown around and even Haaland himself has stated, “that is too much for one football player.”

Nonetheless Dortmund is sitting on a gold mine and will most likely get the most money they have ever seen for one of their players. Still, the brass is making a short list as to who will replace the goal scorer when he leaves. Here are the four players Borussia Dortmund believe can replace Haaland according to a report in Bild.

Timo Werner

Timo Werner has largely been a disappointment at Chelsea and a change of scenery would do him wonders. Werner is a capable forward who simply seems to not be at the right place. Werner would be a good signing for Borussia Dortmund.

Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez would be one of the biggest gambles Dortmund would ever take, not because the Argentine is not talented, but because the former Racing Club player would command a huge transfer fee. Almost half of what would be paid for Haaland. Lautaro Martinez is open to a move, being the target of various Premier League sides, would he be as keen to go to the Bundesliga?

Marcus Thuram

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram is just coming into his own having a very good season last year. While not the big-time goal scorer like Martinez or Werner, Thuram is more in line with players Dortmund sign.

Andrea Belotti

Torino striker Andrea Belotti is a bit older and has put up very decent numbers for the Serie A side. Belotti would be very under the radar and would most likely be the least expensive of the four. Belotti’s issue is his age, at 27 Dortmund would be his only big-time transfer.

Now a report has surfaced where Werner could be the odd man out if Chelsea is able to land their top target of the offseason, Erling Haaland. Considering that if Haaland does not work out, the clubs next two targets are Romelu Lukaku and Antoine Griezmann.

The 90min article had a source that revealed, “Werner is not unhappy at Chelsea, far from it – but he also knows the club are looking at a new striker so if he has to move on, he is prepared to do so.” Here are three clubs that are interested in Timo Werner for this season.

Bayern Munich

Germany’s top club is said to be very interested in Werner. Werner had excellent numbers in the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich wanted to sign Werner a few years back, now if the numbers are right, they could swoop to get him.

Juventus

Juventus are in rebuild mode and with star player Cristiano Ronaldo one year older, Werner would be an interesting pick up to build the squad for life after the Portuguese superstar. Werner himself is an established player and the transition would be much smoother.

PSG

PSG is always there, while the least likely it is said that PSG is monitoring Werner’s situation and if the right deal could be worked out, they would be willing to bring Werner in. PSG is open to selling Mauro Icardi so it could happen via addition by subtraction in Paris.