How Tottenham will line up with Timo Werner

Cameron Smith

Updated: 9 Jan 2024 19:56 GMT
4 min read

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the loan signing of ex-Chelsea forward Timo Werner, with the Germany international joining the club on a six-month loan deal from RB Leipzig.

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Werner, 27, returned to Leipzig in 2022 following a two-year stint at Stamford Bridge, but found game time hard to come by this season.

The summer arrivals of Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons (loan) limited his involvement and RB Leipzig were willing to let him depart in January.

Following interest from Manchester United, Tottenham raced ahead in the hunt to sign Werner and Ange Postecoglou’s side completed a deal on 9 January.

The pursuit of Werner came following Heung-min Son’s departure for the 2023 Asian Cup, with Tottenham potentially losing their captain for a month if South Korea enjoy a successful tournament.

Postecoglou has been forced to deal with an injury crisis in north London this season and is currently without both Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic as left-wing options, due to injury.

As a result, signing a forward was deemed a priority in January and Spurs have now landed their man in the form of Werner.

Capable of playing through the middle or off the left, Werner will provide competition for Brennan Johnson and Richarlison, who have shared minutes so far this season.

With the German’s move to Tottenham now official, how may Spurs line up with Werner in their ranks?

How Tottenham could line up with Timo Werner

Werner’s arrival will not change things at the back for Tottenham and their pursuit of Romanian defender Radu Dragusin has taken a hit following news that Bayern Munich are attempting to hijack their deal for the Genoa man.

Regardless, Guglielmo Vicario will remain in between the sticks and Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro will still be Postecoglou’s chosen full-back pairing.

With Micky van de Ven and Christian Romero currently injured, Emerson Royal and Ben Davies have deputised as Spurs’ centre-back duo. However, Van de Ven and Romero will be first-choice when they return to full fitness.

Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr appear to be the preferred double pivot, and James Maddison will return to the No.10 role when he’s fit again.

Werner will likely slot into the left-wing position, with Kulusevki on the right and Son as the striker.