Liverpool legend Graeme Souness criticised Tottenham Hotspur’s approach to sign Timo Werner and believes the German is past his prime.
HITC Football reported that Werner was set to make his return to the Premier League on loan from German giants RB Leipzig, before the deal was confirmed this evening.
The 27-year-old will hope to rediscover his form after a disappointing spell at Chelsea that saw him score 23 goals in 89 games before heading back to the Bundesliga.
With only eight league starts this season, Werner has struggled for game time and often found himself as a fourth option under Marco Rose behind Lois Openda, Yousuf Poulsen, and Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order.
Speaking on Werner, Graeme Souness highlighted the forward’s lack of efficiency in front of goal and drew a comparison with Liverpool ace Darwin Nunez.
“He needs five opportunities to score a goal, and he had one good season prior to coming here [to the Premier League],” Souness said on talkSPORT.
“He found it difficult to get goals and I would say nothing’s changed, he’s gone back to Leipzig and this season played eight [Bundesliga] games and scored two goals.
“He’s a stocking filler, he’s another body. I don’t think he’ll do very well, but having said that, he’s the kind of player that will get three or four chances every game because he’s rapid and gets himself in the right place.
“He’s a player who one year could get 30 goals, and the next five or six, so he could have the most incredible purple patch and then Spurs will have to sign him.
“[Liverpool’s Darwin] Nunez falls into that category where he needs too many chances to score a goal, but that may change as he’s a young man. Werner, I don’t see that changing, but he could have a purple patch,” he added.
Werner offered a lifeline
As the 2024 Euros edge closer, Werner is desperate to prove his worth to Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann just five months away from the tournament.
He might be able to do that under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham with game time almost warranted as their top scorer Son Heung-min will depart for the Asian Cup this month.
If he is registered in time, Werner could be in line make his debut for Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend against Manchester United.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
