He Looked Frightened’: Pundit Slams Spurs Star’s Nervy Cameo Against Leicester

Craig Burley has unleashed a tirade of criticism at Timo Werner, insisting that the Tottenham forward looked too petrified to take on his full-back when he came on against Leicester City.

Tottenham Held to a Disappointing Draw by Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur did not start their Premier League campaign as they would have hoped, being held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Leicester City on Monday. Despite being the dominant side for much of the encounter, Spurs were unable to capitalize on their possession and control, with a lack of sharpness in the final third proving costly.

The match saw Ange Postecoglou’s men create several chances, but the elusive winner never materialized. As the game drew to a close, Postecoglou made several substitutions, hoping to inject fresh energy and find a breakthrough. However, these changes did not yield the desired results, and Tottenham had to settle for a frustrating draw.

Werner Accused of Looking Scared in Spurs Cameo

Among the late substitutions was Timo Werner, who replaced Brennan Johnson on the right wing. Werner, a player with considerable international experience and a strong reputation in the Bundesliga, was expected to make a significant impact. However, his performance left much to be desired, drawing sharp criticism from pundit Craig Burley.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Burley didn’t hold back in his assessment of Werner’s cameo, accusing the German forward of playing like a “frightened schoolkid.” He expressed his frustration, stating: “You say about making an impact off the bench, I’ll tell you another one for me, and I look at him as an international footballer of some repute who has been around the block. Is someone going to tell me what the hell Timo Werner does?”

Burley continued, “He came into that game and he looked frightened stiff of the full-back. He never runs in behind, he never gets the cross in. I don’t give two stuffs what he did in Germany, he’s not at Leipzig. I’ve seen it before from him, whenever a ball is played up to him, if a defender is close to him he’s like a frightened schoolkid, he taps it off to the side, five yards, it’s a lack of responsibility.”

A Disappointing Outing for Werner

Werner’s timid performance against Leicester was not just an isolated incident, according to Burley. The pundit’s criticism highlights a broader concern about the German’s ability to adapt to the Premier League’s physical and fast-paced environment. Despite his successful stint at RB Leipzig, where he thrived as a goal-scoring winger, Werner has struggled to replicate that form in England, first with Chelsea and now at Tottenham.

While it may be harsh to place all the blame on Werner for Tottenham’s draw, especially given the underwhelming performances of other attacking players like Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson, Burley’s comments underscore the frustration that many have felt watching the 27-year-old struggle in recent times.

The Right Flank Dilemma

One of the key issues highlighted by Werner’s ineffective display is his apparent discomfort when playing on the right wing. Traditionally more effective on the left, where he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot, Werner seemed out of place and hesitant against Leicester. His reluctance to take on defenders and lack of willingness to run in behind severely limited Tottenham’s attacking options during his time on the pitch.

For Tottenham, this raises questions about how best to utilize Werner’s talents. While his versatility is an asset, his performances on the right suggest that he may not be the best fit for that position in Postecoglou’s system. If Spurs are to get the best out of Werner, they may need to reconsider his role within the team or find a way to play him in his preferred position on the left.

A Need for Improvement

As the season progresses, Timo Werner will need to find his confidence and form if he is to make a meaningful contribution to Tottenham’s campaign. The expectations are high for a player of his caliber, and performances like the one against Leicester will only add to the scrutiny.

For now, Werner and Tottenham will need to regroup and focus on the challenges ahead. With the right adjustments and a return to his best position, there is still hope that Werner can turn things around and become a key player for Spurs this season. However, if his struggles continue, the criticism from pundits like Craig Burley may only intensify.