12 Jan 2021 14:04:11
Is Timo Werner having that bad of a debut season? He's played 25 games in all comps, most of which he's been forced, by injuries to others, to play out wide. In those 25 games he's had fifteen goal involvements (9 goals, 6 assists), which I don't see as being a bad return. Yes, I'd like to see him kick on and find the net on more of a regular basis. But, to rule him out as a bust signing is, at this point, a bit premature.
People, quite rightly, compare Werner to Jamie Vardy. Both are asked to play a central role on their own, both aren't the usual big and strong number nines who are asked to do this. Werner could do a lot worse than watch recordings of Vardy, learn from how he has used his skillset to be successful at this level. But, as a reminder, Vardy only scored five goals in his first Premier League season. Yes, he wasn't a multi-million pound import, but he still need to learn the role of, and adjust to being, a Premier League striker.
12 Jan 2021 15:19:07
His stats definitely aren't as bad as some make out, however he will get better now that Frank is playing him correctly. I think Timo's career to date has set his stall so high and rivals want him to fail so badly.
12 Jan 2021 15:53:21
J, good post in defence of the boy. My problem with Werner is his inability to deal with basic situations. Playing a give and go, controlling a pass, passing a simple pass to a team mate with conviction. At the moment he is unable to simply control the ball and move with any confidence.
12 Jan 2021 16:40:29
He can do all of those things, he might not be the best at them, but he can do them. A run without goals does have funny effects on a strikers ability to do the other little things. Perhaps he needs to go back to basics, just worry about being in the box and scoring goals - not that easy nowadays, when so much is expected.
12 Jan 2021 22:17:12
Oh ye of short memories. Can you not remember Didier's first season? He couldn't control the ball, his first touch was terrible and he had great trouble linking up with his team-mates. From the following season onwards, he was pure class. I can see the same happening to Timo (I hope! )
12 Jan 2021 22:56:54
To be fair, even prime form Didier Drogba had a tendancy to miss control with his shin one minute and blast a ball into the top corner the next.