Timo Werner secures RB Leipzig return from Chelsea on permanent deal after Premier League struggles

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 09/08/2022 at 16:53 GMT

Chelsea have seen another forward depart as Timo Werner has returned to former club RB Leipzig. The 26-year-old joined Chelsea two years ago but follows striker Romelu Lukaku in leaving this summer. Werner scored 23 goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel's side beat Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season thanks to a Jorginho penalty.

Timo Werner has left Chelsea to return to RB Leipzig on a permanent deal.

The German international joined Chelsea from Leipzig in a £45m deal two years ago, but struggled to replicate his impressive Bundesliga form in the Premier League.

He netted 23 goals in 89 appearances and only started 15 league games last season. He was not in the squad for the 1-0 win over Everton on the opening day of the 2022/23 campaign.

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Werner netted scored 93 goals and made 40 assists in 157 appearances during his previous spell at Leipzig.

"I’m very happy to be able to play for RB Leipzig again," Werner said after sealing his return.

"I had a great time here between 2016 and 2020, when we performed brilliantly as newcomers in the league.

"It was a dignified departure for me to leave the club as record goalscorer, but that’s in the past now and I’m looking ahead, because both I and the club have developed in the past two years.

"I had two great years at Chelsea that I’m really grateful for and were crowned with the Champions League trophy. The experience to play abroad in a new league really helped me and my career.

"Now I’m looking forward to the new season with RB Leipzig and above all to meeting the Leipzig fans again, who mean a great deal to me.

"We want to achieve a lot and of course, I want to become the first Leipzig player to reach the 100-goal mark."

The deal for Werner is reportedly worth an initial £20 million, with the potential to rise to £25 million.

Tuchel: "It's all about the win"

The 26-year-old's sale, along with Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan, leaves Chelsea’s frontline looking even thinner.

Thomas Tuchel’s side look set to continue with summer signing Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz as their primary forward options, though the club have been linked with Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Jorginho scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot against Everton in their opening game of the Premier League season.

RB Leipzig, meanwhile, began their Bundeliga campaign with a 1-1 draw against Stuttgart with Andre SIlva and Christopher Nkuku paired in attack.

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