Craig Burley backs Tottenham to axe out wasteful star, with surprise Epl name to take his place fast

Ange Postecoglou is expected to make a significant change after the international break, as pundit Craig Burley has expressed frustration with Tottenham forward Timo Werner’s performances.

Burley, a former Chelsea and Celtic player, criticized Werner’s lack of impact and backed Postecoglou to introduce a surprise selection, potentially replacing Werner with 17-year-old rising star Mikey Moore in the next match against West Ham.

Werner’s return to Tottenham over the summer raised eyebrows. The German forward, who had previously been on loan with Spurs, didn’t have a particularly successful first stint with the club.

Despite this, Tottenham opted to re-sign him for a second loan spell from RB Leipzig, with an option to buy for £8.5m. However, his recent performances have done little to justify that decision.

Starting on the left wing in place of the injured Son Heung-min, Werner struggled in both matches, failing to make any meaningful contribution. In the 3-0 win over Manchester United, he missed two key opportunities, and in the 3-2 loss to Brighton, he remained largely ineffective.

Burley, speaking on ESPN FC, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Werner’s performance, calling his end product “atrocious.” He suggested that Postecoglou would be unlikely to keep Werner in the starting lineup for the West Ham game and predicted that Mikey Moore could step in to replace him on the left wing. Burley noted that while Werner had been successful in Germany, he has been unable to replicate that form in England during both of his spells with Tottenham.

Burley’s remarks were pointed: “Timo Werner, whatever he did in Germany, he has been unable to do in two spells in England. His end product was once again atrocious, and that adds pressure on a team defensively when you’re not finishing teams off. I would be very surprised if he starts the next game after the international break. A young 17-year-old in Moore is probably going to come in his place.”

However, Burley’s plan to replace Werner with Moore may overlook a key detail—Werner’s recent starts were due to Son Heung-min’s absence from the squad with a hamstring injury.

Postecoglou has hinted that Son is close to returning, saying the South Korean forward was “pushing hard” to feature against Brighton. Although Son did not make it back in time for that match, Postecoglou’s comments suggest that Son could be fit and available for selection after the international break.

If Son returns to fitness, it’s likely that he will reclaim his spot on the left wing, pushing Werner out of the starting lineup. With Son back on the left, Dominic Solanke will continue in the central forward position, and Brennan Johnson, who has been in excellent form, will keep his place on the right.

This leaves little room for Werner, and contrary to Burley’s prediction, it seems unlikely that Moore will step in immediately to replace him. Instead, Postecoglou will likely revert to his usual starting lineup once Son is available.

In other Tottenham-related news, the club has reportedly joined Liverpool and Newcastle in the race to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham is said to be willing to spend £33m to secure the forward’s services, with their strong relationship with Bournemouth following the Solanke transfer potentially giving them an advantage in negotiations.

Furthermore, a bidding war between Tottenham and Arsenal is expected over Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. Villa may reluctantly be forced to sell the talented midfielder in 2025, and both North London clubs are reportedly preparing to battle it out for his signature.

When looking at Werner’s performances so far this season, the statistics paint a bleak picture. In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Werner has yet to score a goal, missed two big chances, and failed to create any significant opportunities for his teammates.

His expected goals (xG) difference sits at -0.73, indicating that he is underperforming compared to the chances he’s had. He has also struggled with unsuccessful dribbles, having failed to complete seven dribbles so far, and hasn’t won any aerial duels.

Werner’s record so far this season highlights his struggles and explains the growing frustration from pundits and fans alike. If his form doesn’t improve soon, it’s likely that Postecoglou will continue to look for alternatives, whether that’s bringing in young talent like Moore or relying on the return of key players like Son.

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