Opinion: Why signing Timo Werner permanently would be smart Spurs business

Over the last few months, it’s safe to say Tottenham’s squad has been stretched greatly due to numerous injuries. Some of those issues still remain, such as Manor Solomon having constant setbacks recovering from his injury, and most recently Richarlison and Pedro Porro have been sidelined.

The January window was a crucial time to help combat this issue. Despite featuring very little, new signing Dragusin has provided great cover for an area on the pitch that was plagued with injuries from November onwards.

However, one signing who has featured on a regular basis since signing is forward Timo Werner.

The German has played 6 times so far this campaign and, in that time, has contributed to 3 goals. On paper that sounds like a respectable return for a winger, which it is.

Despite the bright start to life back in London, many fans have criticised the 28-year-old for being ‘’wasteful.’’ It would be reasonable to think so, given his huge chance in the first half versus Palace, where he opted to take it around keeper Johnstone and failed in doing so.

Take away the occasional chance not being capitalised on, I believe Werner can be of huge use in the long run, even when Solomon returns and we should activate the optional fee of just £14,500,000 in the summer (Fabrizio Romano).

Firstly, his pace. It doesn’t need much explanation. Every fan that watches or has watched Werner play will know how much of a threat he becomes when he has empty space in behind the backline.

His ability to exploit these spaces is essential when the team are wanting to counter and get the ball up the pitch quickly.

Werner’s pace is incomparable to other Spurs forwards such as Kulusevski and Richarlison. Despite Kulusevski having a different role to Werner where he helps out more defensively, he rarely looks convincing when being made to run into empty space behind with a defender on his tail.

Whereas Timo has the ability to accelerate away from defenders in a flash, offering a different dynamic to Postecoglou’s side.

Another big strength of Werner’s and one that has become quite underrated is his ability to beat his man out wide. With the combination of his explosive acceleration and quick feet, he has shown he has the quality to complete something that fans have been crying out for: the ability for the wingers to beat their man.

In recent months it has become evident that our wing play has decreased. Of course, Kulusevski is an extremely talented player who does so much more than just provide goals and assists, but his lack of pace and heavy reliance on his left foot sometimes makes him a bit too predictable to defend.

As for Johnson, there is no doubt there is a player in there and he’s contributed to 9 goals this season, he certainly lacks confidence and sometimes looks unsure about what to do next when receiving the ball out wide.

Contrary to the points made above, Werner looked confident to take Ward and Munoz on with his weaker foot. That unpredictable approach of being able to utilize his weak foot along with his immense pace makes him a handful for defenders.

As well as scoring his first goal in a Spurs shirt against Palace, he almost won a penalty in the second half, which left many online debating if he was unfortunate not to see it awarded.

Should Tottenham sign Timo Werner?

Another strength which would make him a useful player in upcoming seasons is his versatility. Postecoglou’s style of play relies on players playing at a high intensity for long periods. What comes along with that is undoubtedly injuries, which was shown earlier on in the season versus Chelsea.

It’s only a matter of time before another one of our attacking players joins Richarlison and Solomon on the injury list, but by being able to play across the front line which he has done at various points in his career, Timo provides cover without weakening the side.

Players who are capable of filling in across the front line are hard to come by these days, with modern-day managers stressing the importance of following systems.

They also tend to be expensive, which is why for just £14,500,000 it’s surely a no-brainer that we activate the buy-option in Werner’s contract, and provide him with more opportunities to show just how important he could become in this exciting Tottenham team.