Matthäus on Werner's fall: "Transfer to England too soon"

For Lothar Matthäus, Timo Werner's move to Chelsea FC in 2020 is the main reason for the former top scorer's sporting downfall. "For me, the move to England was far too early for him," said the record international on Sky after RB Leipzig's 3-1 win over 1. FC Köln, in which Werner made it back into the matchday squad for the first time this season. However, the 57-time international did not make an appearance.

Before the transfer to London, which cost around 53 million euros, Werner had "scored many, many goals, decided many games" for Leipzig and also before that for VfB Stuttgart and was "also self-confident on the pitch", said Matthäus: "The move to England did something to him because he didn't get the warmth there either. There's a family atmosphere in Stuttgart, here at RB you give each other a hug - that doesn't happen in England, it's tough professional soccer."

Matthäus wished the 29-year-old, who was greeted with chants of "Timo Werner" from the RB fans during the warm-up, that he would soon feel needed again. "This feeling of being needed - that's what Timo needs. And if he gets that, then I hope for his sake that he has this oasis of well-being again, that he continues his performances."

Probably without a future in Leipzig

However, that may no longer be the case in Leipzig. After the win against Cologne, coach Ole Werner said that "everyone can recommend themselves for appearances through their training performances". But he also emphasized that he had a clearer picture of other players because Werner had had a "super difficult time" in preparation. "We'll see how things go over the next few weeks," said the coach about the attacker, who had actually already been ruled out and benefited from a number of injury-related absences at RB.

Werner is Leipzig's record goalscorer, scoring 113 goals in 213 games. His contract with RB expires next summer. The attacker played his last Bundesliga game for the Saxons before his loan to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in November 2023.