Timo Werner Branded ‘Lazy as Hell’ as RB Leipzig Struggles Continue and MLS Move Looms

Timo Werner’s career at RB Leipzig looks increasingly like a chapter heading toward its end. Once a star striker and the poster boy of Leipzig’s rise to the top of German football, the 29-year-old now finds himself stuck on the bench, criticised for his work ethic, and being tipped for a January move to Major League Soccer. An insider from within the club has now revealed that even former coach Ralf Rangnick once branded Werner “lazy as hell in training” — a damning verdict that adds yet another layer to his current struggles.

Werner’s Struggle Continues at RB Leipzig

Since returning from a short loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur last season, Werner has found playing time at Leipzig hard to come by. This season, he has managed just a single minute of action, coming off the bench late in the Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg. For a player on a reported €11 million-per-year contract and tied down until 2026, such limited involvement is a major concern for both the club and the player himself.

Leipzig did try to solve the issue in the summer by offloading him, with New York Red Bulls putting a deal on the table. But Werner turned down the move, opting to stay in Germany in the hope of fighting for his place. Instead, he has remained firmly on the fringes, with head coach Marco Rose preferring other options in attack.

For Leipzig, it’s an awkward situation — Werner is one of their highest earners but is contributing very little on the pitch. For Werner, it’s a career crossroads. He is too talented and too experienced to be a permanent benchwarmer, yet he has not done enough to convince Rose to trust him with regular minutes.

‘Lazy as Hell in Training’ – Rangnick’s Brutal Assessment

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Perhaps the most eye-catching revelation of the week came from Guido Schäfer, a respected reporter at Leipziger Volkszeitung. Speaking on Sport1, Schäfer shared a story about former Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick’s assessment of Werner during his first spell at the club.

“Rangnick once told me: ‘If I had selected the players based on training performance, Timo Werner wouldn’t have seen a kick-off on the pitch,’” Schäfer recalled. “He’s truly lazy as hell in training.”

It’s a statement that paints a picture of a player who perhaps relied too heavily on his natural talent rather than hard work behind the scenes. Yet Schäfer was also quick to note that Werner appears to have changed his approach recently, likely forced by the reality of his current situation.

“I asked him: ‘Timo, what’s wrong with you? Are you starting to train seriously now?’ He said: ‘Yes,’” Schäfer added, suggesting there may be hope of a turnaround — but possibly too late to salvage his Leipzig career.

January Exit Looking More Likely

Even with a change in training attitude, Schäfer admitted he can’t see Werner forcing his way back into Leipzig’s starting XI anytime soon. He believes the forward’s future will be limited to cameo appearances off the bench, where his trademark pace might still cause problems for tiring defences.

But in truth, a clean break might be best for everyone involved. “Personally, I believe he’ll move to New York this winter,” Schäfer said. He even joked about having found Werner an apartment in Leipzig, suggesting they were ready for him to leave during the summer window.

This time around, MLS clubs are expected to return for Werner, particularly those within the Red Bull network. New York Red Bulls remain the most likely destination, and with Leipzig keen to free up their wage bill, a deal could be easier to strike in January.

The Chelsea Return That Never Worked

Werner’s return to Leipzig from Chelsea in 2022 was supposed to reignite his career after a mixed spell in the Premier League. But despite some early flashes of his old self, the goals dried up and his confidence seemed to dip.

The loan to Tottenham last season was designed to offer a fresh start, and while he showed glimpses of his ability in North London, Spurs opted not to make the deal permanent. That decision sent Werner back to Leipzig, where his role has now been reduced to that of an expensive squad player.

Leipzig’s Dilemma and Werner’s Legacy

There’s no doubt that Werner’s best days at Leipzig were spectacular. Between 2016 and 2020, he was one of Europe’s deadliest strikers, scoring 113 goals and providing 45 assists across four seasons. Those numbers are a major reason Leipzig established themselves as a Champions League regular and a domestic contender.

Schäfer was quick to defend Werner’s legacy despite his criticism. “Without Timo Werner, RB Leipzig wouldn’t have been so successful,” he reminded. “He didn’t get his current contract because he held a knife to anyone’s throat — he earned it.”

But football is a “what have you done for me lately?” business, and right now Werner’s contribution is minimal. Leipzig are chasing another top-four finish, and with a talented squad full of young, hungry players, there is little room for sentimentality.

What Next for Werner?

For Werner, the January transfer window could be the perfect chance to start anew. A move to MLS might offer him a starring role again, away from the constant scrutiny of German football and the pressure of Champions League expectations.

At 29, he still has plenty of football left in him. Whether he chooses New York or another destination, the hope will be that he can rediscover the joy of playing regularly and perhaps remind everyone why he was once considered one of the most exciting strikers in Europe.

One thing is certain: his story at RB Leipzig feels like it is approaching its final pages. And if Guido Schäfer’s prediction comes true, we may soon be seeing Werner’s name on the teamsheet in a very different league — one where he might just thrive again.