Returnee Timo Werner does not see himself as a new savior at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
"The fans have always supported me in the tough times that were also in Leipzig.
That's why I'm happy to be able to play in front of them again - but not as Messiah, but as Timo Werner," said the 26-year-old national player at his performance on Wednesday.
Werner, who moved from Chelsea for around 20 million euros and signed a four-year contract with his former club, spoke of a very happy reunion with "familiar faces".
The goalscorer didn't have to sing a debut song.
"A small alley was formed in which I got a little pat on the back of the head from everyone," revealed Werner: "It was much more pleasant than having to sing in front of the group."
Werner wants to "finally play football again"
At his heart club, for which he was extremely successful on the ball from 2016 to 2020, Werner "finally wants to play football again" - also so as not to jeopardize his World Cup chances.
"There's a World Cup this year, that doesn't happen too often in a player's career.
You want to prepare optimally for that," said the attacker: "It was clear to me relatively quickly that Leipzig was a very good step in the phase I was in."
He also picked up this assessment in a conversation with national coach Hansi Flick.
"He thinks the idea of returning to Leipzig is very good," revealed Werner: "It's important for him that I have a lot of match practice before the World Cup, as if I only played irregularly at Chelsea all the time."
Werner doesn't think it's a problem that RB has developed a new game system under coach Domenico Tedesco, which is primarily tailored to Frenchman Christopher Nkunku.
He spoke of a "very good conversation" with the coach, "both sides were very impressed".
And the interaction with Nkunku "already worked well at the end of his first time in Leipzig, and that can still work well today".