“Really is poor” – Former Chelsea man blast Tottenham star after dismal performance
Tottenham Hotspur forward Timo Werner faced criticism for his lack of finishing ability following the team’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Sunday evening.
Despite a strong start for Ange Postecoglou’s side, where Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the 20th minute and James Maddison added a second, the match took a turn in the second half.
Brighton responded with goals from Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck, overturning the two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory.
One of the players who struggled during the match was Timo Werner, who made his second Premier League start of the season.
Although he provided an assist for Maddison’s goal, his overall performance drew heavy criticism, particularly from former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley.
Burley, now a football pundit, took to social media to criticize Werner’s end product, calling it “poor.” The 28-year-old forward failed to capitalize on key opportunities, a criticism that had also followed him after Tottenham’s victory over Manchester United, where he missed two crucial chances against goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Werner’s performance statistics against Brighton further emphasize his struggles. Despite playing for 79 minutes, he failed to register a shot on target and lost possession 12 times.
His expected goals (xG) for the game were a mere 0.11, indicating the low quality of chances he had throughout the match. Werner’s stats paint a clearer picture of his inefficiency in front of goal.
| Timo Werner’s Match Stats vs Brighton | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 79′ | |
| Goals | 0 | |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.11 | |
| Assists | 1 | |
| Shots on target | 0 | |
| Shots off target | 2 | |
| Accurate passes | 18/25 (72%) | |
| Key passes | 1 | |
| Possession lost | 12 |
Werner’s struggles in front of goal are not new. During his previous spell in the Premier League with Chelsea from 2020 to 2022, he scored 23 goals in 89 appearances but often faced criticism for his lack of clinical finishing.
Chelsea eventually sold him back to RB Leipzig for less than half of what they initially paid, and Werner returned to Tottenham on loan in January. The loan deal, extended until the end of the 2024/25 season, includes an option for Spurs to buy him for £8.5 million next summer.
While Werner’s performance raised concerns, Brennan Johnson had a more positive impact during the match. Johnson, who joined Tottenham from Nottingham Forest in September 2023, continued his fine form by scoring the opening goal against Brighton.
He has now found the net in six consecutive matches across all competitions, matching a record set by Spurs legend Harry Kane in 2019.
Johnson’s goal-scoring run includes goals against Manchester United, Brentford, Qarabag, Ferencvaros, and Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.
Johnson’s consistent performances have made him one of the standout players in Tottenham’s squad, and his ability to score in crucial moments has been vital to their recent successes.
He signed a long-term deal with Tottenham, which is set to expire in 2028, with an option for a further year, cementing his future at the club.
In contrast, Werner’s form remains a concern. Despite showing flashes of quality, his inability to finish key chances continues to hold him back. With the option to make his loan move permanent, Tottenham will have to carefully assess whether Werner is the right long-term fit for the squad, especially given the forward’s inconsistent performances.
As Postecoglou looks to build a competitive team, the performances of players like Johnson will be crucial, while Werner must improve if he is to remain part of Tottenham’s future plans.
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