Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner has admitted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics did not get the best out of him at Stamford Bridge.
The German has returned to RB Leipzig just two years after joining Chelsea, departing with an underwhelming 23 goals in 89 games for the Blues.
Speaking to Toni & Felix Kroos’ podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, Werner insisted he will always have fond memories of Chelsea but acknowledged that his spell in London did not go to plan.
“For me, having fun playing football is the most important thing,” said the 26-year-old. “Of course I was very successful at Chelsea, but in the end I lost a bit of the fun because I didn’t play regularly anymore.
“I think the coach’s game system didn’t suit me perfectly. So it was clear to me that I wanted to take a new step. I’m at an age where I want to play as much as I can.
“I really associate Chelsea with great successes – the greatest of my career. It will always be a special club for me. I will also stay in contact with many players from the team.”
Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth bring you Talking Transfers, discussing Erik ten Hag wanting to sign five players before the transfer window closes, and Man Utd’s attitude to selling Cristiano Ronaldo. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
Under Tuchel, Werner spent a lot of time operating as a left winger behind either Romelu Lukaku or Kai Havertz, flashing an impressive creative side – he finished with 21 assists – but failing to replicate the sort of goal numbers he managed in Leipzig.
Now back in the Bundesliga, it took Werner just 36 minutes to score his first goal of the season, opening the scoring as Leipzig were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Koln.
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Reigning Scottish champions Celtic host Hearts as they continue their defence of the title on Saturday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops have already hit double digits for goals scored across their opening three games, starting the season with all the swash and buckle demonstrated at the conclusion of the previous campaign.
Hearts haven’t been shy in front of goal themselves, rattling in seven as they opened the campaign with two victories and a draw against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.
Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting between this prolific pair.
Streaming Service: CelticTV Broadcast Time EST: 10:00 Broadcast Time PST: 07:00
Streaming Service: CelticTV Broadcast Time (EST): 10:00
Where can you watch Celtic vs Hearts Highlights?
Channel: BBC Sportscene Stream: SPFL YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Celtic: 4 Wins Hearts: 1 Win Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Ross County: DWWWW Celtic: WLWDW
Celtic team news
Postecoglou resisted the urge to restore Reo Hatate to his midfield on Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch last weekend for fear of an injury relapse. On the plush playing surface at Celtic Park, Hatate could return this Saturday.
However, Yosuke Ideguchi isn’t expected back until the end of the month as he nurses a leg injury.
The only notable absentee for Robbie Neilson continues to be Beni Baningime. The 23-year-old midfielder opened the scoring within three minutes of Hearts’ home meeting with St Johnstone last March but was forced off with a ruptured cruciate ligament in the first half. Baningime isn’t expected back until December.
Hearts were the Old Firm’s closest challengers in last season’s Scottish Premiership but Celtic still finished 25 points clear of the Gorgie Boys. Boasting a newfound efficiency at set-pieces, Celtic have added “another bow in our armoury to hurt teams” according to Postecoglou.
Last season’s iteration of the champions was good enough to win their previous four games against the capital club. Hearts’ decade-long wait to defeat Celtic in Glasgow may be extended this weekend.
Prediction: Celtic 3-1 Hearts
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British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed his desire to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that the Glazers were seeking new investment and were prepared to sell a minority stake in the Red Devils, amid near-constant protests against their ownership from disgruntled United fans.
Now, a spokesperson for Ratcliffe has confirmed to The Times that the lifelong United fan, who failed with a bid to buy Chelsea earlier this summer, is prepared to invest with a view to complete ownership of the club.
“If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer,” a statement read.
The spokesperson added: “If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.
“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent. Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth bring you Talking Transfers, discussing Erik ten Hag wanting to sign five players before the transfer window closes, and Man Utd’s attitude to selling Cristiano Ronaldo. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
Just what the Glazers are prepared to offer is unclear. Reports have conflicted, with Bloomberg claiming the American family are not looking to sell the club, which could be valued at over £5bn, outright.
In April, Ratcliffe, who currently owns Ligue 1 side Nice, submitted a bid to buy Chelsea worth £4.25bn, only to be knocked back as his offer came after the well-publicised deadline for buyers.
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Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Vieira’s side have emerged with a point from a tough opening set of fixtures which pitted Palace against two of last season’s top five. Steven Gerrard’s Villa have had a far more agreeable schedule against newly-promoted Bournemouth and nearly-relegated Everton but could claim just one unconvincing victory against the latter.
Here’s everything you need to know about the managerial meeting between two inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Channel: BT Sport Score (Studio Updates Only) Channel: BBC Final Score (Studio Updates Only) Broadcast Time: 15:00 (BST)
Streaming Service: Peacock Premium Broadcast Time EST: 10:00 Broadcast Time PST: 07:00
Streaming Service: fuboTV Broadcast Time (EST): 10:00
Where can you watch Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Highlights?
Channel: Sky Football Channel: BBC Match of the Day Stream: Sky Football YouTube channel
Vieira was able to give Michael Olise a few minutes at the end of Palace’s creditable draw against Liverpool on Monday night but is still waiting on a return for James McArthur.
James Tomkins joins goalkeeper Jack Butland on the sidelines while Nathan Ferguson suffered another injury setback earlier in August.
No sooner had Gerrard brought a centre-back back into the fold than he lost another. Tyrone Mings looked his manager in the eyes just in time as the former captain’s importance ballooned following the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by summer arrival Diego Carlos.
While the Brazilian is set to be sidelined for six months, Ezri Konsa is all but guaranteed to restore his partnership with Mings at the back as fellow defender Kortney Hause is continuing his recovery from a knee injury.
Philippe Coutinho and Matty Cash were both forced off in the closing stages of Villa’s frantic win over Everton but Gerrard insisted: “We’ll have enough time to get them right for next week.”
Whether Coutinho warrants a starting berth ahead of last week’s game-changer Emi Buendia is an altogether different question.
Just two places and three points separated these clubs when all was said and done last season and nothing could divide the sides when they met in May.
In what may be another even edition, stay tuned until the end as nine of Crystal Palace’s last ten league goals against Villa have been scored in the final 20 minutes (per BBC).
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa
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Mexican national team players have seen a busy summer.
El Tri staple Erick Gutierrez secured his future with PSV Eindhoven, signing a contract extension through 2025 while competing in Champions League playoff matches. Santiago Gimenez and Jorge Sanchez made their move abroad, becoming the latest Mexicans to feature in the Eredivisie as LA Galaxy player Julian Araujo aspires to be the next figure in Europe.
Here’s everything on Mexican players abroad…
Santiago Gimenez debuts for Feyenoord. / BSR Agency/GettyImages
Santiago Gimenez finally debuted for Dutch team Feyenoord on Saturday, coming off the bench in the match against Heerenveen. The player replaced Danilo in the 78th minute, helping his side reach a 0-0 draw.
He joined earlier this month, making the move from Liga MX team Cruz Azul. He signed a four-year contract, to become the latest Mexican to play in the Eredivisie.
“It’s a dream for me to play for such a big club,” Gimenez told Feyenoord’s official website. “I deliberately chose this step and am grateful to everyone for the warm welcome. I believe that together we can work towards something very beautiful and experience great successes.”
Erick Gutierrez helps PSV reach Champions League playoff match. / Soccrates Images/GettyImages
Erick Gutierrez is on the rise with PSV Eindhoven. The Mexican player just signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club through 2025. He initially joined the Eredivisie team in 2018, working through injuries and a competitive roster to earn his place in the starting line up.
Gutierrez now stands as an integral part of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, featuring in both regular season and Champions League playoff matches. The midfielder scored the equalizer in the second leg match against Monaco that propelled PSV to overtime and eventual victory.
Given his monumental performance, Guti earned his start against Rangers before inspiring his side to a 2-2 draw. It all comes down to PSV next Wednesday when hosting the Scottish side in the fight for a Champions League spot.
Jorge Sanchez made his move to Ajax. / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Defender Jorge Sanchez has officially signed for Ajax Amsterdam, joining the Eredivisie side on a four year contract.
Club America confirmed the imminent transfer on August 7, before the player traveled abroad for medicals and paperwork. He departs the Liga MX side after four years, where he won the league title in 2018 and lifted the Campeon de Campeones trophy in 2019.
“[I’m] motivated because going to Europe is not so easy. I’m thinking about my future and about the Mexican national team,” Sanchez said before going to Ajax.
“There’s a lot of happiness, a lot of motivation, but a lot of responsibility too, going to Ajax is a unique opportunity, a golden opportunity to do things well, yes or yes, to reach the World Cup at the top and win a place.”
Los Angeles Galaxy player Julian Araujo confirmed his desire to play abroad. / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages
With transfer rumors on the rise, LA Galaxy’s Julian Araujo confirmed his desire to move abroad.
The defender has quickly proven himself as one of the brightest young talents of Major League Soccer, becoming an integral part of LA Galaxy and earning appearances with the Mexican national team.
FC Porto has since come forward as the frontrunner to sign the player, eyeing the LA Galaxy defender as a possible reinforcement for the 2022/2023 season. As talks progress between his team and the Portuguese side, Araujo reaffirmed the possibility of the imminent move.
“I definitely want to go to Europe. It’s my dream. My goal is to go to Europe. I want to reach my highest potential and I feel like going to Europe is going to help me do that,” he said exclusively to 90min.
“I’m someone that wants to learn everyday, someone that takes advice from everybody, that wants to learn. I know, like I said, to reach my highest potential I need to go play in the best, the top leagues.”
Diego Lainez debuted for Sporting Braga in the match against FC Famalicao. / MB Media/GettyImages
After a frustrating stint with Real Betis, Diego Lainez is back on the pitch. The player came off the bench to replace Iuri Medeiros in the 73rd minute of the match against FC Famalicao, helping his side to the 3-0 victory.
As the World Cup approaches, Lainez continues to fight for a place on Gerardo Martino’s 26-player roster.
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