Werner - the decision to try was right

Tino Werner hasn't rediscovered his confidence at Tottenham Hotspur

Why Spurs Took a Chance on Timo Werner – And Why It Didn’t Work Out

It was an opportunity that made sense at the time.

Timo Werner, once one of Europe’s most feared forwards (24 goals in 57 German internationals), was available on loan.

Tottenham needed attacking reinforcements.

The deal was low-risk – a temporary arrangement, with the potential for a permanent move if things worked out.

For all the criticisms being thrown around now, the logic behind signing Werner was sound.

Yet, as we near the end of his second season at Spurs, it’s clear that the gamble has not paid off.

Restoring Confidence – A Calculated Risk

When Werner arrived in North London, he was not the lethal striker who had terrorised Bundesliga defences at RB Leipzig (113 goals and 47 assists in 213 games).

Chelsea’s stint had damaged his confidence, and while he returned to Leipzig, he never quite regained his former self.

But players do bounce back.

A change of environment, a new manager, and a clear role can sometimes reignite a struggling talent.

That’s what Spurs were banking on.

Werner wasn’t a ‘superstar signing’ – nor was he meant to be.

He was a calculated risk, a player with a proven history of scoring goals at the highest level, needing the right conditions to flourish.

With Ange Postecoglou’s high-tempo system and an attacking setup that prioritised movement and space, the thinking was that Werner could find his feet again.

If he had, it could have been an inspired move.

Of course, I feel there was a missed opportunity.

If there was ever a player who needed to work with a sports psychologist to improve his confidence in front of goal it was Timo Werner.

Again football demonstrated it is in the dark ages and did nothing.

Personally, I have to question our 1st XI sports psychologist himself.

Why isn't he saying to the head coach that he thinks he could help.

Did he suggest it, I doubt it.

The club is at fault for not looking at this, the coach is at fault for not thinking of this and the sports psychologist is at fault for not looking to develop his role in a very practical way.

What Went Wrong?

Injuries have played a significant part in this failure.

Werner’s body hasn’t held up.

Consistency has been impossible when fitness is unreliable.

When he has played, glimpses of his old self have appeared – the pace, the work rate, the willingness to run at defenders.

But the sharpness and finishing that once defined his game? Missing.

And in the ruthless world of Premier League football, glimpses are not enough.

The Fan Backlash – and the Levy Blame Game

Predictably, some sections of the fanbase have turned on Werner.

The same voices that hailed the signing as ‘smart business’ now call it ‘a waste of time.’

Some never wanted him in the first place and think they have been proven right.

And, as always, there is the chorus of voices blaming Daniel Levy – as if he alone decided that Werner should join.

This isn’t about Levy.

It’s about a club making a reasonable footballing decision that didn’t work out.

Not every signing will be a success.

That doesn’t mean the logic behind the signing was flawed.

It was sound, just in my view poorly executed.

Moving On – Lessons from the Werner Experiment

Spurs rolled the dice on Werner, just as they have done with other players in the past.

Sometimes these risks pay off – sometimes they don’t.

More would pay off with the use of sports psychologists.

A lack of game time failed to develop others.

Or their mentality wasn't good enough.

What matters now is that Tottenham recognise when to cut their losses.

There will be no permanent deal.

The focus will shift to finding a different attacking option, one with greater reliability and effectiveness.

And Werner?

He will move on, as he has done before, in search of the right place to reignite his career.

It didn’t work at Spurs.

But the decision to try was never the wrong one.

COYS

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