“Death of Opportunity” and “Gap Filler”
English pundits mock Werner before his first touch of the ball
January 12, 2024, 12:54 a.m
A harsh wind blows in his new home. Before Timo Werner even gets on the pitch for Tottenham Hotspur, there is a hail of criticism from the English press and TV experts. For the DFB striker, the loan to the top club in the English Premier League is the last chance for a ticket to the home European Championship.
Timo Werner knows the customs on the island only too well. When he was still playing in the Chelsea FC jersey, fans edited videos of missed chances, TV pundits criticized him harshly and the “Yellow Press” isn’t exactly squeamish anyway. Consequently, the striker was hardly surprised by the ridicule that greeted him upon his return.
“He’s very versatile, he misses scoring opportunities with his left foot, his right foot and his head,” complained Simon Jordan, the former owner of Crystal Palace, on radio station talkSPORT before Werner had even played a game for Tottenham Hotspur. With his possible debut at Manchester United on Sunday (5.30 p.m./Sky), the 27-year-old, who absolutely wants to go to the home European Championship with the German national team, is making a second attempt in the tough Premier League. He abandoned his first attempt in what was probably the best football league in the world after two years.
Werner wants to be the best player he can be
Graeme Souness, Liverpool FC icon, also has his doubts about Werner. “He’s a gap filler, he’s another alternative. I don’t think he’ll be very good,” said the Scot. However, he gave Werner credit for being the kind of player “who gets three or four chances every game because he’s quick and gets himself into the right position.” He just needs too many chances.
It was his performances in the current season, in which Werner lost his regular place and only scored two goals in eight Bundesliga games, that gave Souness cause for concern. “It was difficult for him to score goals and I would say nothing has changed.” But the truth is that Werner’s time at Chelsea is viewed more critically than the numbers suggest. On paper there are 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 games as well as winning the Champions League.
But his missed shots remained in his head, which is why Werner wants to prove himself. He will probably get enough chances in the six months that he is on loan from Rasenballsport Leipzig, as top striker Heung-Min Son is at the Asian Cup. “I hope I can be the best player I can be here. The people who have followed me a bit in the Premier League know that I can use my speed, that I can be a threat to the opponents “, said Werner. And maybe it will even silence the critics.