Danny Murphy, who had criticised Tottenham’s decision to re-sign Timo Werner on loan a few days ago, has now slightly changed his mind on the transfer, suggesting that Ange Postecoglou has only brought the forward through the door as a squad option rather than as a potential starter.
At the start of this week, Spurs confirmed that they had struck a deal with RB Leipzig to extend Werner’s loan spell by a season.
According to reports, the agreement would see the Lilywhites cover the German international’s full salary during the 2024-25 season, with the Premier League club having the option to land the player permanently next summer for £8.5m (BBC Sport).
The signing has not gone down well among some supporters on social media, who see the move as evidence of the club’s lack of ambition.
Murphy too criticised the move when it was announced, stating on talkSPORT a couple of days ago that he was ‘perplexed’ by the transfer and opining that Werner had not shown enough last season to warrant an extension to his loan spell.
However, the pundit has now changed his tune a little, pointing out that Tottenham’s recruitment decisions over the last 12 months have been excellent and that the former Chelsea man would just make up the numbers in the squad.
Is Timo Werner a starter or a bench player at Spurs?
The former Spurs midfielder has now told talkSPORT about Werner’s return to N17: “Let’s give it balance, they have made a couple of brilliant signings. So, their recruitment isn’t all bad. Van de Ven has been sensational. I think he has done really, really well. Udogie. He has arguably been the best left-back in the country. He came out of nowhere. Someone is doing the right thing there.
“You are going to have the odd one that’s a more sensible safe squad bet. The way Tottenham are talking, their manager and their ambition. They aren’t getting Werner for another season to start him. Can’t be. They won’t break into the top four with the front three that they finished the season with.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While Werner will never be the most clinical in front of goal, the forward showed that he has some very useful attributes that make him a good weapon to have. With Tottenham back in the Europa League next season, the decision to extend the German’s loan spell was a no-brainer for the club.