Timo Werner will now be returning to Tottenham Hotspur for the 2024/25 campaign after Spurs completed their first deal of the summer.
Although Tottenham had the option to make his stay permanent with their £15m buy clause, Spurs have now negotiated a season-long loan for the German.
The summer window may not have opened officially but Timo Werner marks the first piece of business done by Ange Postecoglou‘s side.
However, it is an arrival which has received a mixed response from the Spurs faithful with some questioning what this may mean for the development of youngster Mikey Moore.
A much busier schedule awaits Tottenham next season after their fifth-placed finish secured them a spot in the Europa League.
The European competition’s news format is going to provide Spurs with a great opportunity to offer some extra minutes to some of the club’s squad players.
Rotation is going to be crucial to Tottenham’s success next season and Postecoglou is looking to bring more quality into the side to bolster his squad depth.
And that is exactly how Werner should be viewed going into the new campaign as The Spurs News take a dive into the German’s signing and the effects that may have.
What does Timo Werner’s signing mean for Mikey Moore?
The big concern which has arrived from the deal to bring Werner back to north London is how it may hinder the development of one of their star academy players.
Over recent weeks, Moore has risen to the surface after he made his debut for Tottenham against Manchester City having impressed Postecoglou in training at Hotspur Way.
Moore’s rise has also been boosted by his performances and goals for England in the Euro U17s tournament this summer.
Some of the goals Moore has scored have been seriously impressive as he has even received high praise from the Spanish media after tearing their U17s side apart.
As impressive as Moore has looked in recent weeks, it has to be remembered he has only played at U18s level for Spurs this season – aside from his few minutes off the bench under Postecoglou.
Moore is yet to even play for Wayne Burnett’s U21s who got their hands on the Premier League 2 trophy this season.
A case of ‘if they’re good enough, they’re old enough’ could be made for Moore, however, that can only truly be judged if Moore has been watched at length.
That will be the case for those behind the scenes at the club, but for ordinary fans, that is highly unlikely given Moore has played the full season in the U18s side.
Players like Lamine Yamal have been thrown in at the deep end at Barcelona at such a young age, but Moore does not have a clear pathway at left wing to uproot Heung-min Son.
Given Son is coming out of the 2023/24 campaign as Tottenham’s top scorer and such a commercial asset to the club, it is difficult to imagine Moore picking up many meaningful minutes at a time when development is key.
With that in mind, is it worth promoting Moore to the first team to sit and watch Son from the bench or would he be better off earning game time in the U21s side.
Timo Werner is a great option for the Europa League
The Europa League will provide Postecoglou with the opportunity to provide some of his squad players with some extra minutes.
But, it has to be remembered, this tournament is also going to provide Spurs with a great opportunity at silverware with no Champions League sides now dropping down into it.
Although Postecoglou will be able to change up his starting XI at times in the Europa League, there still has to be a high level of quality in the side to get Spurs over the line in the games.
Statistics via FBRef.
And this is why the signing of Werner could make so much sense for Spurs as it will allow them to rest Son whilst also bringing in a player who has considerable experience playing in Europe.
After all, Werner started in Chelsea’ Champions League final where they lifted the trophy in 2021.
READ MORE: Get to know Timo Werner, the £47.5m Chelsea flop turned Tottenham loan star
Some fans will feel the Europa League is a chance to provide some of the youth prospects some minutes and that could well be the case with players like Jamie Donley, but there has to be a fine balance in handing out chances and remaining competitive.
Timo Werner’s main issue at Tottenham
One thing that only has to be considered is Werner arrived at Spurs when Son was away with South Korea and then – on his return – Richarlison picked up his injury issues.
During his short-term loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Werner probably ended up playing more frequently than Postecoglou had planned.
Due to the Brazilian striker’s injury woes, there were only a handful of games when Werner was actually competing with Son for the spot on the left.
Those games did provide Postecoglou with a good opportunity to judge Werner and the German’s tally of five big chances missed were seriously frustrating.
The 28-year-old returned two goals and three assists since January, but there has to be a feeling of so many more goals being left out there on the pitch.
Judge Werner’s signing in September
Although fans will already have their thoughts on the deal, sit back and let the transfer window unfold first before judging the German’s return.
Postecoglou has already admitted a number of players will be getting moved on this summer with the likes of Bryan Gil lined up for an exit.
Is Werner an upgrade on having Gil on the bench? Yes. Would it be a disappointing signing if this is all Spurs bring in to bolster their front line? Absolutely.
But the window is not even open yet and there is still a lot of work which Spurs could do over the coming months which may well mean Werner’s role is nothing more than a squad player.
If that is to be the case, then Spurs have them a very experienced player who has proven useful during his short term stint – albeit carrying his flaws.