Werner backed for Tottenham success by Man Utd legend

Cameron Smith

• 14 Jan 2024 15:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov believes Timo Werner is a “great signing” for his former club Tottenham Hotspur after Ange Postecoglou’s side landed the German on loan from RB Leipzig.

Werner was being monitored by Man Utd ahead of the January transfer window, but they ultimately decided against pursuing a move for the ex-Chelsea man.

As a result, that decision left Tottenham free to negotiate with Leipzig and a six-month loan deal with an option to buy was soon agreed.

Werner trained with his new team-mates for the first time this week and could make his Spurs debut against Man Utd at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Ahead of the meeting between the two clubs who wanted Werner, Berbatov has admitted that while he isn’t the finalised article, the Germany international is an excellent addition in north London.

What has Dimitar Berbatov said about Timo Werner?

“I think it’s a surprise signing, I did not expect it to be honest,” the Bulgarian told Metro. “It’s a move that the club was working on way before the transfer window.

“Now he’s back in England two things can happen; either he’s going to show everybody ‘I’m back and I’m better than before’ or it’s not going to work out.

“Let’s hope for the good of the team that Timo is going to be a better player than he was at Chelsea and especially better in front of the goal because he was getting into goal-scoring opportunities but the last touch in front of goal was what he lacked before. If he improves on that then he’ll be great for the team.

“That run in behind the defender is a great weapon to have, trust me,” Berbatov added.

“If you are clever enough and you have the speed, because you can have the speed but be stupid and you don’t know what to do.

“You have to be quick, fast and clever to know where to explore the space behind the defenders and to recognise where the space is.

“He has other players in the team that can give him the ball so then hopefully he can score and give assists.

“I think he’s a really great signing for the team and also that he’s not [signed] on the last day of the window. Let’s hope he’s fit and ready to go straight into the team.”

Werner’s Tottenham take on Man Utd at 16:30 on Sunday 14 January and the German will be hoping to mark his debut with a goal.