Wantaway Chelsea forward Timo Werner has fallen out with manager Thomas Tuchel after a private talk over his role on the pitch and game time, according to the Evening Standard.
The 26-year-old did not make the Chelsea squad for the 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday and is reportedly close to leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
Werner himself has hinted at his potential exit, having said that he wanted to play regularly and could be happy “everywhere” during an interview with The Times.
Tuchel recently insisted that the Germany international had not requested to a transfer a couple of weeks ago, but recent reports suggest that he will soon leave the club.
Sky Germany and Fabrizio Romano both claim that Werner has agreed personal terms to return to RB Leipzig.
The Evening Standard added that Werner and Tuchel has had a difficult relationship following an argument during the pre-season.
The pair reportedly had a private meeting in which they argued over how the striker was being used on the pitch as well as his lack of game time.
Since joining Chelsea on a reported £45million deal in 2020, Werner has played various roles under Tuchel and his predecessor, Frank Lampard.
Tuchel has mostly deployed Werner on the left of the front three or, occasionally, in a front two.
It is safe to say that the former Leipzig ace has not really adapted to his new position, having registered just four goals and one assist in the Premier League last season.
He also only started 15 league games last term, almost half of his number (29 starts) in the previous campaign.
Chelsea are unlikely to recoup the money they spent on the speedster, but keeping a reportedly unhappy player, who is also among the club’s highest-paid personnel, is hardly a solution, either.
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