LEIPZIG - RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has
defended striker Timo Werner for not making himself available for the
Champions League resumption ahead of a transfer to Premier League
Chelsea.
"I cannot imagine that he is being pilloried," Nagelsmann told a news
conference on Friday. "He is a great sportsman and I can understand
his decision."
Leipzig are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League which will
resume in August after the coronavirus suspension with the conclusion
of last 16 ties and a final eight tournament in Lisbon.
But Werner will not head to Portugal with Leipzig, rather to London
after the Bundesliga campaign finishes to prepare for next season.
"He's going to a different country with a different language," said
Nagelsmann. "It is clear that he doesn't want to play and avoid the
risk of injury."
Chelsea completed their move for the 24-year-old Germany
international Werner on Thursday having reportedly met his 60 million
euros (68 million dollars) release clause.
Leipzig could be further hampered in Lisbon in August as Yussuf
Poulsen is injured, Patrik Schick is only loaned until the end of
June and Jean-Kevin Augustin could stay at Leeds United, where is on
loan, should they gain promotion to the Premier League.
Strengthening the squad on the other hand is not possible though
Leipzig can make further players already at the club eligible to
play.
First Leipzig focus on securing a berth for the elite competition
next season and could go second in the table by beating Borussia
Dortmund at home in the penultimate Bundesliga round on Saturday.
Attacking midfielder Konrad Laimer will be unavailable with illness
on Saturday. Should Leipzig lose, results elsewhere could force them
into a last-day shoot-out to secure Champions League qualification.