Tottenham Hotspur wide forward Timo Werner has endured a difficult time at White Hart Lane in the ongoing 2024/25 campaign, with the German international coming under scrutiny for the lack of clinical presence in front of goal.
While the 28-year-old has pace and ability to stretch defences out wide, he has struggled to make a significant impact when it mattered, and that has raised questions about his role at White Hart Lane.
Spurs brought him from RB Leipzig on a loan move in the summer of 2024 for the season following his successful half season at N17 in the previous campaign, and the former Chelsea forward was expected to rejuvenate his career and find his feet in the English top tier, where he did struggle with Chelsea, albeit his performances have often been inconsistent in the ongoing campaign, with several missed opportunities that have raised concerns about his future at N17.
Wage concerns?
And John Wenham, owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, acknowledges his belief that the Lilywhites won’t sign the German forward on a permanent deal, insisting that his high wages would be a cause of concern.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Wenham said:
“I don’t see Tottenham signing Werner permanently.
“Even if he goes on to have a great season this year, considering his wages, I just think it is too much of an outlay to commit to permanently.
“Therefore, if the season were to finish next week, he would just be released. That would be the end of it, and Spurs would move on.”
Moreover, Tottenham have already been subject to links with multiple wide forwards who can take up his spot in Ange Postecoglou’s roster.
Will Spurs bite the bullet on Timo Werner permanent deal?
To feature for a club in the headspace of Tottenham, it’s important to have players that can deliver week in and week out, and Werner hasn’t been doing so; he has been at best a hit-and-miss to consider signing him on a permanent deal.
For Daniel Levy and Spurs to commit to having Timo Werner on books at Hotspur Way, especially given his mighty wages complemented by his inconsistent performances, should be enough to justify not making investment in his signatures.
The German does have the raw qualities, no doubt—his pace and ability to stretch defences are valuable—but is that what Ange needs? Given how thin they have been in front of goal, Tottenham need some clinical edge in the final third.
As mentioned above, his speed remains a potent weapon that Ange can use in the counterattack; Werner is yet to find his stride in front of goal. Spurs faithful have seen flashes of his potential (for example, that performance against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup), but have also seen his poor finishing and struggles to make decisive contributions in tight games that have come back to bite the Lilywhites on multiple occasions.
With the likes of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and even Moore (to a certain extent) offering more consistency and diverse attacking threats, the German international looks like he doesn’t belong.
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A former UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea, the German has never quite fulfilled his potential in England. Do you think Tottenham should sign Werner on a permanent transfer?