Former DFB hopeful Werner enjoys a second spring in MLS

How things are going in the MLS, reports Bill Barrett: The former DFB hopeful Timo Werner has been playing for the San Jose Earthquakes since the winter of 2026 and has scored six goals and provided six assists in 21 appearances, showing that despite his age he is still dangerous in front of goal.

Early Bundesliga Era

In the Bundesliga there was a time when the knees of some defenders trembled before Timo Werner. This fear reflected his threat in attack.

The Stuttgart native, who previously played for VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig, was faster than his opponents, possessed a keen sense of space and remained usually ice‑cold in front of goal.

He also impressed in the German national team intermittently with these qualities, leading to the assumption that he would have to be used in major tournaments.

Move to Chelsea and Leipzig

At Chelsea FC Werner experienced a successful spell in the Premier League and won the Champions League together with Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger.

During this period his career, however, gradually went downhill, and he fell out of the spotlight of his native Stuttgart.

In Leipzig Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda were placed in the starting eleven ahead of Werner.

The club brought Werner back in the winter of 2022/23 from the Blues for a transfer fee of €20 million.

In his first year with the Saxons the now 30‑year‑old striker scored nine goals and provided four assists.

In the 2023/24 season head coach Marco Rose used Werner hardly at all and instead preferred Sesko and Openda in attack.

In the winter of 2024 Werner returned to the Premier League, where he was loaned to Tottenham for a year and a half.

With the Spurs he managed to score only two league goals during that time.

After another return to Leipzig he received only 13 minutes of playing time in half a year, after which the club decided in the winter of 2026 to send him to the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS on a free transfer.

New Upswing in the MLS

In the MLS things are going quite well for Werner.

Although the level in the USA is not comparable to the European top leagues, he is experiencing a second spring there.

After 21 appearances in the league he has contributed six goals and six assists.

With the Earthquakes he oscillates between the left‑wing and striker positions.

His biggest weapon remains his speed, which is still particularly effective in the MLS.

In the Bundesliga defenders are getting faster; to retain a regular speed advantage today one must almost reach the level of Alphonso Davies, Sheraldo Becker or Adam Daghim (over 36 km/h).