Timo Werner was open to returning to RB Leipzig this summer (Getty)
Thomas Tuchel has blocked Timo Werner’s push to leave Chelsea this summer, according to reports in Germany.
The 26-year-old has struggled to make an impact since arriving in a £47.5 million deal from RB Leipzig in 2020, scoring 23 goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea.
RB Leipzig have expressed an interest in re-singing Werner this summer, while the forward is also keen to move in order to get more minutes on the pitch ahead of Germany’s World Cup campaign in Qatar later this year.
But according to Kicker, Tuchel has ‘put a stop’ to Werner’s plan to leave Chelsea as he still wants the German forward to be part of his squad for the upcoming campaign.
Werner, meanwhile, is said to be concerned over his lack of playing time under Tuchel having started just 15 games in the Premier League last season.
Timo Werner started just 15 games for Chelsea in the Premier League last season (AMA/Getty)
Earlier this month, Werner suggested that he was open to the idea of leaving Chelsea in order to secure regular playing time.
‘I could be happy everywhere,’ Werner said.
‘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.
‘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 doesn’t change anything in my mind.’
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But when asked about the prospect of Werner leaving Chelsea this summer, Tuchel insisted last week that the 26-year-old ‘has a point to prove’ at Stamford Bridge.
‘I don’t know about it, Timo has not talked to me about it,’ said the Chelsea manager.
‘In the moment I think he wants to make his way at Chelsea. He has still to prove a point.’
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