Nagelsmann has no doubts about Werner’s commitment to RB Leipzig for rest of season

Normally, a player agreeing a transfer in the middle of June would represent standard transfer market activity. But with the COVID-19 pandemic delaying things for a couple months, the vast majority of leagues around Europe are either still playing, like the Bundesliga, or, like the Premier League, haven’t even restarted!

So in the case of Timo Werner, the impending Chelsea transfer is almost like a mid-season transfer even though it’s happening in June. And that has the potential to distract the striker from what should be his primary focus, getting goals and points for RB Leipzig as they look to finish in the top four.

This weekend, Leipzig were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by bottom of the table Paderborn, and while Werner set up Leipzig’s lone goal of the contest, he also missed a couple good chances, which added to the opportunistic sensationalism in coverage.

But his current head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has no doubts about where the 24-year-old’s head’s at.

“No, [the Chelsea hype] didn’t bother him. He was very committed. He was always working out front, like [Paderborn coach] Steffen [Baumgart] said. He was on the run a lot.

“He has a total of 32 or 33 goals this season. Today he missed a few chances, but still set up Patrik [Schick]’s goal. I think he would have liked to score with one of his two big chances, but that has nothing to do with the hype about his person. He has known that since he was 14.”

-Julian Nagelsmann; source: Goal

Were this a normal June, Werner’s transfer would be announced at the earliest possibility. Given the circumstances, that might not be the case, which could lead to further speculation.

Media reports continue to assure that this transfer is, for all intents and purposes, done and done, but it would reassure us all if something was announced this week. Then we can all go back to our daily tasks, and concentrate on finishing the 2019-20 season in the best way possible.