The Timo Werner to Chelsea news just got exponentially better. Bild’s Christian Falk broke the news Monday that Werner has decided to skip the remainder of RB Leipzig’s Champions League campaign scheduled for August. It also means he’ll join Chelsea in July, earlier than expected.
REPORT: Timo Werner to Join Chelsea in July But Miss Champions League With RB Leipzig
Chelsea’s Christmas Comes in July This Year
Bild began their article with a tantalizing headline: “Is the biggest game in Leipzig club history taking place without the biggest scorer in club history?” it asked. Next, “Timo Werner (24/92 goals in 156 competitive games) should no longer be in the RB squad in the Champions League in the Champions League, which is to be played in the summer after the leagues ended, but instead to his future club FC Chelsea switch.”
Starting July 1, Werner will call Stamford Bridge home. However, he can’t put on the Chelsea blue just yet. FIFA have stated that players who already have a contract with a new team, like Werner and fellow Chelsea summer signing Hakim Ziyech, can’t play for their new clubs until next season begins.
Still, Chelsea will get the German with even more rest than anticipated. Moreover, they can worry less about a potential injury before coming to west London.
Werner Mentally Checked Out at Leipzig
In the two games for Leipzig since the news of his transfer broke, Werner’s not had the best of showings. Against both Hoffenheim and Paderborn, he earned individual match ratings on SofaScore 7.3 and 7.4 respectively below his season average in the Bundesliga, 7.55.
And against Hoffenheim, he had a particularly bad showing, missing a one-on-one sitter at the end of the first half, completing only 58% of his passes, and losing possession 16 times.
Since his transfer announcement, he has appeared mentally checked out. And although he’ll finish the Bundesliga season, deciding to leave Leipzig before the end of the full season confirms his mental aloofness.
What Happens Next?
Now that he’ll leave Leipzig early, will manager Julian Nagelsmann bench him? Three games remaining and firmly in third place, Werner may not just miss the most important game in Leipzig history. He may well miss every remaining game for Leipzig.
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