Werner on the way to attract Europe's big clubs

Sports Wednesday 18/September/2019 19:38 PM
By: Times News Service
Werner on the way to attract Europe's big clubs

Berlin: Until now it is more a fan's joke, but as always, the entertaining story might contain a certain amount of truthfulness.

Not meant seriously it says Timo Werner's decision about his next club might depend on the availability of doner kebabs, a dish made of pita bread, sliced meat and various vegetables, in the respective city.

It is no bold guess that both Paris or Madrid can provide the Leipzig's strikers favorite dish in best quality. Both clubs are said to be eying the 23-year-old German international aside of Bayern Munich. His performance this season is going to increase the interest.

The prominent clubs might have to wait when trying to attract Werner's attention as the striker recently extended his contract with the East German side until 2023, but can count on an exit clause.

The Stuttgart-born attacker certainly will remain one of the main targets as his tremendous performance this season makes him one of the most successful strikers. Having scored five goals in seven Champions League games is a message.

He was the man of the match when Rasenballsport Leipzig beat Benfica in their group opener delivering both goals leading to a 2-1 victory. Werner has made significant development steps in his young career. In all seven games under Julian Nagelsmann, he scored. His new coach is praising him as a game decider while teammate Emil Forsberg called him an outstanding performer delivering the big points.

"He has the permission to go on," the 32-year-old coach emphasized winking.

For long Werner was accused of gambling away best chances, and goal-scoring wasn't mentioned first when people were talking about his skills. Things have changed after he signed his new contract "as it gives him confidence" as Leipzig's managing director Markus Kroesche is putting it.

Failed negotiations with Bayern are said to be a thing of the past. But it took him some days to get over the muddle caused by the Bavarians after the Bayern let him down upsetting the forward.

Today fans experience a footballer full of confidence not being afraid of speaking about minor sins such as a doner kebab. His nutrition plan mainly contains for athletes compatible food, but the matured footballer allows himself the liberty to state in an interview: "On a free day I don't only want to eat spelled pasta."

The shy youngster has turned into a self-confident striker setting sails to new shores. "We all got older and have gained experience," he said adding his side has the quality to compete on eye-level in the Champions League.

It is far from arrogance when Werner is already talking about the next round after the first game. "The next round is possible when we manage to win both home games against Lyon and St. Petersburg," he commented adding his club doesn't intend to participate in the Champions League "just to be around."

The upcoming challenges will be telling the story Werner is claiming.

Aside of his teammates Yussuf Poulsen and Marcel Sabitzer or Forsberg the 27 times capped forward is completing a promising attacking line. Nagelsmann's system with two performers on the six gives his side the needed stability to carry out fast counter-attacking football and dominate.

Nagelsmann is tirelessly repeating the Champions Leagues youngest squad is ready for more. So seems Timo Werner both on the pitch and in that little doner restaurant downtown Leipzig he is turning up on his days off.