Former Chelsea attacker Timo Werner is under the media spotlight right now after receiving firm criticism from Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou this week.
Tottenham earned a 1-1 draw away to Rangers on Thursday night in the Europa League group stages. However, the post-match comments from Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou about Timo Werner have stolen the headlines.
The 28-year-old attacker was substituted off at half-time during yesterday’s draw at Ibrox. Afterwards, he received pretty strong criticism from his head coach.
When discussing Werner’s display versus Rangers, Postecoglou said via Football.London: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should… When you’ve got 18-year-olds it’s not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. He’s a senior international, he’s a German international… His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”
Chelsea supporters may be getting a sense of deja vu after seeing Werner’s public criticism.
For what it’s worth, the German forward can be a devastating player when he’s in the mood. During two years at Stamford Bridge between 2020-2022, he was part of a famous side that won the Champions League. He scored 23 goals in 89 Blues appearances, too.
However, he’s always been a player that divides opinion because he’s struggled for consistency in English football. Unsurprisingly, the same pattern is emerging during his time on loan with Spurs.
Speaking shortly after his exit in 2022, Werner admitted he didn’t have the best time at Chelsea.
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Here is a look at three occasions Werner was ripped into by then-Chelsea managers during his time in west London:
Timo Werner and manager Frank Lampard of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Oc...
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Frank Lampard frustrated with Timo Werner
Frank Lampard was one of the Chelsea managers that Werner worked with during his time on the blue side of London. In fact, he scored nine goals during 28 appearances under the Blues legend.
Back in December 2020, Lampard was openly critical of Werner after a specific Chelsea performance. He actually substituted him off at half-time during a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day.
When discussing Werner’s display versus Arsenal, Lampard said via The Mirror: “For today Timo wasn’t giving us enough with or without the ball. Some of it we have to give him time. I keep saying the same thing because it’s a different league but we also have to get there quickly.”
He’s always had a tendency to drift in and out of games, something that still happens for Spurs.
Thomas Tuchel angered by Timo Werner finishing
The bulk of Werner’s Chelsea career was spent under Thomas Tuchel. His record with Tuchel as his manager is 14 goals in 61 appearances.
Similarly, the now-England boss was sometimes publicly critical of his German compatriot.
In particular, Tuchel was furious with Werner’s end product in front of goal on various occasions. This included after his wasteful performance during Chelsea’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Real Madrid in April 2021.
“He (Werner) missed a big one at West Ham and now he’s missed a big one here, that does not help,” Tuchel told Sky Sports.
Thomas Tuchel vents at Timo Werner on the sidelines
Finally, Tuchel ripped into Werner from the sidelines for his positional sense during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win against Everton in March 2021.
“Timo, how long are you staying on the left? You’re playing on the right! The last 15 mins you’ve only been on the left! Don’t you understand?” Tuchel said, as quoted by The Daily Mail.
Whether he’s playing as a winger or a central striker, Werner often leaves a lot to be desired with his end product.
What’s next for Timo Werner?
As you can see above, Werner is no stranger to a public hammering from the manager. Admittedly, the Postecoglou criticism this week was pretty hard-hitting.
At the age of 28, he should be entering his prime years as a footballer. He’s still got the rest of the season on loan with Spurs, but perhaps it would be worth him going back to a Bundesliga league where he’s played his best football in the past.
Werner doesn’t enjoy the media scrutiny in the Premier League, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens with him in 2025.
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