RB Leipzig star Timo Werner missed out on the most recent Germany squad. - © IMAGO/Picture Point LE

bundesliga

Timo Werner backed to succeed for RB Leipzig and Germany

01.09.2023

Timo Werner has the backing of RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose despite his recent struggles at the Red Bull Arena costing him a recent Germany call-up.

Hansi Flick announced his Germany squad for the upcoming friendlies against Japan and France on Thursday, but there was no space for Werner, who has 24 goals in 57 caps for his country.

Instead, new Borussia Dortmund signing Niclas Füllkrug has been called up to lead the line, with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry and Arsenal's Kai Havertz on hand to deputise at No.9.

Rose has handed more final third minutes to new arrivals Lois Openda and Xavi Simons than Werner this season, while Benjamin Sesko has also been signed from Red Bull Salzburg, but the head coach thinks Werner will bounce back.

Rose: 'Werner's qualities well-known'

"Timo's well known for the qualities he gives us: his pace, ability to play in behind and score goals," he said ahead of Leipzig's trip to Union Berlin on Sunday.

"At the moment he's not showing that on the pitch as much as we'd all like, but Timo has the opportunity to work his way back into the team here, and he can get himself back into the Germany squad too.

"He now has one or two more competitors that he has to assert himself against, but this can also be of benefit to the club. Everyone has to show up and prove themselves."

Werner hit 78 goals and 32 assists in 127 Bundesliga games with Leipzig before leaving for Chelsea in 2020, and has managed nine and four from 29 since returning last summer.