GUESS who’s back?
Tottenham have acted fast to supply Ange Postecoglou with recruits in the January transfer window by securing Timo Werner on loan until the end of the season.
With several key players unavailable through injury or international duty, Spurs’ squad is in need of replenishment if they are to continue to compete at the top end of the table and the temporary acquisition of the German forward represents a signal of intent.
PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON VOUCHER!
Werner will be added to Dream Team today with a starting price of £3million.
At such an affordable price it’s worth analysing his viability and potential in full – just what will be bring to Dream Team this time around?
Many Dream Team gaffers will remember Werner as a Chelsea flop but it may surprise some to learn that the 27-year-old averaged a goal or assist every other game during his two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
He was considerably more productive than many give him credit for but there’s no denying his Premier League record was thoroughly underwhelming.
Having arrived in West London with a reputation as one of Europe’s best goalscorers and Germany’s first-choice No9, Werner mustered only ten goals in 56 top flight appearances.
He fared better in the domestic cups and generally saved his best performances for Europe – he made a substantial contribution to Chelsea’s most recent Champions League success – but his ineffectiveness in the Premier League is the prevailing memory most fans have of his time in England.
Like Darwin Nunez (£4.1m), Werner lacks nothing in terms of effort and dynamism but his threat is often undermined by frustratingly wasteful finishing.
In 2020/21, no player under-performed against their xG more than Werner in the Premier League – he edged out Neal Maupay (£2.1m) for that unwanted crown.
Even during his first successful spell at RB Leipzig, where he made his name, it wasn’t uncommon for him to squander golden chances.
In contrast, Son Heung-min (£4.8m) is statistically one of the most efficient finishers of the modern era.
Any Spurs fan hoping the German forward will fill the void left by their captain all the while South Korea are active in the Asian Cup may need to temper their expectations.
That being said, Werner is a willing runner and his work rate should lend itself to Postecoglou’s high-paced brand of attacking football.
Regular Bundesliga viewers have been less than impressed with his performances this season but his potential shouldn’t be overlooked.
Werner scored 95 goals in 159 games during his first spell with RB Leipzig and he averages a goal every 153.7 minutes at international level over a seven-year stretch.
Postecoglou has teased the best form out of several Spurs players already but whether he can rejuvenate Werner is another task entirely.
One thing’s for sure, it would be a brave Dream Team manager that backed Werner immediately without a look at him in action.
Spurs face Manchester United, Manchester City and Brentford before the end of the month.
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
