RB Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco has said that he is not prepared to comment on speculation that Timo Werner could return to the German side during this summer's transfer window.
Werner's future at Chelsea is in doubt, with a number of clubs said to be keen to sign the Germany international in the current market.
There have been suggestions that the 26-year-old could head back to Leipzig - the club that he departed in July 2020 to move to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Bundesliga club's head coach Tedesco has said that he will 'not express himself' when it comes to the German out of "respect" for the player and his club.
"Timo Werner isn't my player, isn't our player," Tedesco told reporters. "He is a player from Chelsea.
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"Therefore, I have a clear opinion on this. To not express myself, to not position myself on players, who aren't part of our club, who aren't under contract in our club. In my opinion, that's a matter of respect. That's an important principle, which I set up for me."
Werner has largely struggled to show his best form for the Blues despite boasting a respectable record of 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 matches for the club in all competitions.
The German scored 11 times and provided six assists in 37 appearances in all competitions last season, although he only found the back of the net on four occasions in the league.
Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have both been linked with the striker, while there have been claims that Newcastle United want to sign him on a season-long loan.
"I could be happy everywhere," Werner said earlier this month. "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.
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"It doesn't change anything whether it is a winter World Cup or in the summer. I think if I play half of the season or the whole season, I should play. It doesn't change anything in my mind."
However, Tuchel is believed to have told Werner that he will not be leaving in the current market, and the Chelsea head coach recently dismissed claims that the attacker could leave.
"I don't think so (is there substance behind the transfer reports). I don't know about it, Timo has not talked to me about it. In the moment I think he wants to make his way at Chelsea. He has still to prove a point," Tuchel told reporters.
Werner, who has scored 24 goals in 53 appearances for Germany, wants to secure regular football in the first half of the new season to ensure that he is in strong shape for the 2022 World Cup.
The forward scored 93 goals and registered 40 assists in 158 appearances for Leipzig between 2016 and 2020.
Matt Law
