Timo Werner refuses to rule out Chelsea exit

Chelsea striker Timo Werner has insisted that he "could be happy everywhere" as speculation surrounding a possible exit from Chelsea gathers pace.

The Germany international arrived at Stamford Bridge with high expectations in the summer of 2020 after a goal-laden spell at RB Leipzig back in his homeland.

However, Werner has flattered to deceive since arriving in the English capital, despite amassing 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 appearances across all competitions.

The 26-year-old only found the back of the net four times in the Premier League last season, starting just 15 top-flight matches under Thomas Tuchel.

Werner was briefly linked with a move to Juventus as part of a player-plus-cash deal with Matthijs de Ligt, but the centre-back is now set to join Bayern Munich.

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"First of all, the most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That's the fact. That's what I should take care of and the other things will come," the Daily Mail quotes Werner as saying. "I could be happy everywhere.

"I think of course the manager always has different ideas, different thoughts and what you need in different games, I think in many games I was not in his thoughts so I try to change that.

"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.

"I think it doesn't change anything whether it is a winter world cup or in the summer. I think if I play half or the season or the whole season, I should play."

Werner could be waving goodbye to teammate Hakim Ziyech this summer, with the Moroccan understood to be in talks over a move to AC Milan after his own difficult spell in England.

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However, Raheem Sterling will provide added competition in the attacking ranks, but Werner is relishing the chance to try to force his way back into Tuchel's first XI on a regular basis.

"It's not different to last season, I think it was the same when Romelu (Lukaku) came here that we have big, big competition up front. It is still the same," Werner added.

"At a big club like Chelsea you have that competition. In pre-season you can show that you want to play that you are a guy who wants to be in the starting XI. That's what I try."

Werner found the back of the net in Chelsea's opening pre-season game against Club America at the weekend and still has three years left to run on his contract with the Blues.

The Blues are next in action in the United States on Wednesday, with Charlotte lying in wait at the Bank of America Stadium before a showdown with Arsenal on July 23.