Thomas Tuchel ‘surprised’ by Timo Werner hinting at Chelsea departure

'I would be very happy as a young guy having a contract at Chelsea'

Thomas Tuchel has appeared to suggest that Timo Werner should be grateful playing for Chelsea and has urged the striker to do his talking on the pitch, rather than off it. The German attacker dropped a hint that his future may lie away from the Blues earlier this week, claiming that he could be happy elsewhere. Werner, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £47.5million from RB Leipzig in 2020, has been linked with a move away from the Blues this summer, with Chelsea adding Raheem Sterling to their ranks.

Tuchel surprised by Werner's comments

Asked about his happiness at the London club, Werner said he 'could be happy everywhere'. However, Blues boss Tuchel has admitted that he was 'surprised' by the player's comments. "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 said after Chelsea's pre-season penalty shootout defeat at Charlotte.

"He needs to get his game time. He has to 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."

https://twitter.com/AbsoluteChelsea/status/1549969038922727425

'Hard to say' if clear-the-air talks are needed - Werner

The 26-year-old said he had not held talks with Tuchel over where he stands, but was unsure if clear-the-air talks were needed.

"It is hard to say," Werner added.

"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."

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1548223122410655745

German international 'unsure' why he's struggled for minutes

Werner - who has scored just 10 Premier League goals in two years - admits he is unaware of why he has struggled for game time under Tuchel.

"It is hard to say," he said. "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."

The German added: "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.

"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."

Werner is likely to feature in the Blues' next pre-season friendly clash against Arsenal in Orlando in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Related links:

• Thomas Tuchel urges Romelu Lukaku to play like Timo Werner
• Timo Werner ‘doesn’t understand’ support he gets from Chelsea fans despite bad form
• Conor Gallagher takes the ‘worst penalty ever’ as Chelsea lose to Charlotte FC