Why Werner is proving to be a perfect fit at Spurs

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be pivotal in Matchweek 23.

Player analysis - Timo Werner

First impressions suggest that Timo Werner is very well suited to Ange Postecoglou’s distinctive brand of attacking football.

During 170 minutes of Premier League action against Manchester United and Brentford, the on-loan Germany international produced eight shots and four key passes, including a pair of superb assists.

His pace from turnover situations proved problematic for both of Tottenham Hotspur’s opponents.

So, Everton’s right back options Ben Godfrey and Nathan Patterson must ready themselves for a testing examination in Saturday’s early kick-off at Goodison Park.

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Holding his width

The tactical trait which has stood out most regarding Werner under Postecoglou is the way he has hugged the touchline.

We know the Spurs head coach likes his wide players to hold their width, freeing up space infield for his full-backs or midfielders to occupy, and the 27-year-old has been very disciplined in the way he has followed those instructions.

Gettin "‘chalk on his boots", the bulk of Werner’s involvements have been inside a five-to-ten-yard corridor by the touchline.

Rather than wandering around looking for the ball, he is intent on stretching the rival backline before waiting for the right moments to enter the penalty area.

Werner has spent a lot of his career as a central striker, so this role may not be totally natural for him.

However, the ex-Chelsea front man timed his forays into the box intelligently in both of his appearances for Spurs.

Some of his efforts were wasteful or rushed, but those 18 touches inside the opposition box mean he averages more involvements in that domain per 90 minutes than any other Spurs player.

Spurs players touches in opp. box 23/24

*Min. two Premier League starts

Flying on the break

Saturday’s opponents Everton could be at their most vulnerable when they are pushing forward in search of goals.

Where possible, Werner will stay upfield in a wide position, waiting to pounce on the break.

He caused Man Utd a lot of issues on the counter during Spurs' impressive performance at Old Trafford.

From this swift transition (see below), the German ran forward to have an attempt on goal.

And just after half-time he caught Erik ten Hag’s side cold by racing down the left from another swift break.

Waiting for support, United’s defenders got back behind the ball, but as he darted inside, Werner timed his pass to Rodrigo Bentancur perfectly to set up Spurs' equaliser.

Assist king

It was a very similar story in midweek when he charged down the left from a counter-attack sparked by left-back Destiny Udogie.

On this occasion he knew that fellow speedster Brennan Johnson was quick enough to support him inside the box, so Werner made sure his run stayed vertical.

Intelligently slowing down for a split second before then exploding past his man on the outside, he produced a devastating low cross that Johnson could not miss from at the far post.

Sean Dyche will likely adopt a pragmatic tactical approach aimed at denying space for the likes of Werner and Johnson to sprint into, but the game state may force Everton to take more risks as the match progresses.

If that moment arrives, Werner looks sharp enough to make them pay from transitions, turnovers or counters that Spurs create.

Richarlison in a purple patch

Son Heung-min’s participation in the Asian Cup has not significantly impacted Spurs thanks to the excellent form of centre-forward Richarlison.

Since mid-December the Brazilian has scored seven Premier League goals in as many starts, ruthlessly snaffling the type of chances he had been spurning until that point.

As you can see below, he was having more shots and touches inside the box earlier on in the campaign, but the composure of his finishing let him down.

Richarlison comparison

Now much calmer, and far more clinical as a result, Richarlison will be a real handful for the Toffees to contain on his return to Goodison Park.

Also in this series

Part 1: How Van Dijk and Konate have formed the perfect partnership