Ten million for sitting? As if Timo Werner (29) had already checked off his career

Timo Werner no longer plays a role at RB Leipzig, but he's earning around ten million euros in the final year of his contract, which runs until next summer. A transfer would have been the logical choice from a sporting perspective. But Werner has decided to stay .

What's behind it? A look at the inner conflicts of a player who vacillates between career and security.

Werner is 29 years old, at his prime for a footballer. Normally, the time when a striker is starting to make a comeback, scoring goals, maybe even winning titles. Instead, Timo Werner is sitting on the sidelines at RB Leipzig. Coach and club are no longer planning on using the top earner. To the fans, it seems as if he's already mentally written off his career.

On paper, the path would be clear: Better to move, receive a lower base salary, and get match time in return. But Werner decides otherwise. He stays – and accepts the risk of no more playing time.

Sounds incomprehensible? Yes. But only from a purely sporting perspective. For Werner, it's no longer just about playing time, but also about stability. And that's what his contract provides, above all.

In a business where market value and reputation can fluctuate from one season to the next, that's worth more than any guaranteed playing time.

Christoph Maria Michalski , known as "The Conflict Navigator," is a respected conflict and leadership expert. With a clear vision for solutions, he provides a clear understanding of social, political, and personal conflicts. He is part of our EXPERTS Circle . The content represents his personal perspective based on his individual expertise.

In short: Things aren't going well on the pitch, but the bank balance is doing well. This seems contradictory, but it's a decision many professionals in a similar situation would make.

It's a tug-of-war between several forces. There's the desire for security: A contract of this size is a shield against the uncertainty of a short career. Everyone knows: a torn cruciate ligament, a new coach, or a slump in form – and suddenly you're out.

There's also the status factor. The high salary isn't just money, it's a symbol. Werner was once at the top , and his contract was the result, saying, "You're worth it." Anyone who voluntarily forgoes this amount risks having their self-image damaged.

And there's the need for control. A move always carries risk: a new league, new expectations, a new environment. Maybe it works, maybe not. In Leipzig, Werner knows the processes, the doctors, the city. That means peace of mind – especially after the rollercoaster years at Chelsea and Tottenham .

In short: Werner is not only faced with the question “money or career,” but rather with a three-way struggle between security, status, and self-determination.

Studies show that people experience losses twice as painfully as gains. Applied to Werner: Giving up a secure million-dollar contract feels much more painful than the chance of a comeback would be enjoyable.

Added to this is what psychologists call the "sunk-cost effect." You cling to something because you've already invested so much. Werner earned these conditions . Why would he voluntarily "sunk down" it now?

The fear of ending up back on the bench at a new club despite forgoing a salary only exacerbates the situation. Then he would have lost twice: less money and no playing time. From this perspective, staying seems almost logical.

The bottom line: fear of loss is often stronger than the desire to move forward. And that's exactly what Werner is doing.

Because a transfer isn't just a sporting decision, it's also a personal one. It's not just about 90 minutes on the pitch, but also about where you live, your family, your environment. Leipzig is familiar, Leipzig is predictable.

From a sporting perspective, there would also be a challenge: A new club would have to be willing not only to take Werner but also to give him a real role. But the offers often don't fit. MLS clubs wanted him. Other clubs hesitated: Why pay so much for a player who has barely played recently?

And: A fresh start always carries a risk to one's image. Anyone who moves to a smaller club sends the message: "The glory days are over." For many professionals, this is precisely what's harder to cope with than less playing time.

In short: A new club would have to be a perfect fit, sportingly, financially, and emotionally. Such combinations are rare.

A lower fixed salary and more performance-based bonuses. Those who play, score, and deliver automatically earn good money. This way, Werner could reduce his risk and simultaneously prove that he still has some athletic potential.

His role should be clear: a team that truly needs his pace and his deep runs. Not a system that relegates him to the bench, but one tailored to him. Just like in the past, when he had his best phases in Leipzig and in the German national team jersey.

Yes, he'd have to be brave. He'd have to accept that he'd initially earn less – with the chance to get it all back. But that's exactly how the stories fans love come about: players forgo millions to get another shot at life.

The bottom line: The "career option" does exist. But it requires courage, sacrifice, and the confidence that it will actually work out again.

Clubs should understand: Players don't just decide based on minutes or money. They decide based on security, status, and credibility. Anyone who wants to attract players like Werner needs more than just a contract. It requires a clear role, a compelling reason, and a model that visibly rewards performance.

For Werner himself, in the short term, his clinging is human. Who wouldn't take ten million a year if it were on the table? But in the long run, invisibility devours every career. Strikers thrive on images: goals, celebrations, emotions. Those only arise when you play.

It's better to take the step sooner – even if the fixed salary is smaller. A big stage that puts him back in the spotlight ultimately weighs more than any bank account. Security is his victory today, impact must be tomorrow.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of select experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.