Werner slams Chelsea after Leipzig return

FT Desk

23 Sept 2022 08:28 BST
3 min read

Timo Werner says he was "laughing and crying at the same time" during his two-year spell with Chelsea.

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Germany striker Werner arrived at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2020 with the Blues shelling out €54.3 million to secure his services.

Werner had scored 34 goals in all competitions in his final season in Germany, coming in at a rate of one every 106 minutes he played, but he struggled to recreate that form at Stamford Bridge.

Did Timo Werner just not get the love he deserved at Chelsea? 🤔pic.twitter.com/Zdx501w6yI
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 9, 2022

Signed by Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel struggled to get the best out of his compatriot and Werner returned to Leipzig with his tail between his legs this summer, Chelsea recouping €28.9m of his original fee.

Speaking ahead of Germany's UEFA Nations League meetings with Hungary and England, Werner lifted the lid on his time at Chelsea.

Werner: 'laughing and crying at the same time'

"Personally, it wasn't the best time for me," he told the German FA. "I'd imagined something more. I learned a lot, won the Champions League and other trophies. I enjoyed the two years [in England] very much - and enjoyed London very much. But I was laughing and crying at the same time.

Werner concluded his Chelsea career with 23 goals and 21 assists from 89 games in all competitions - reasonable return, but one he hopes to improve upon now back at the Red Bull Arena.

"[Back at] RB Leipzig, not everything's gone smoothly these first few weeks, but the style of football under the new manager really suits me and prepared me well for what's required with the German national team," he said.

Leipzig sacked their coach Domenico Tedesco the day after Chelsea parted ways with Tuchel, and he has now been replaced by former Borussia Dortmund manager Marco Rose.

Unlike Romelu Lukaku - another striker who struggled under Tuchel - Werner has left on a permanent basis. Lukaku is only on loan at Inter Milan.