Pundit shares new Timo Werner prediction ahead of Tottenham Premier League clash v Manchester United
We’re delighted to welcome former Scotland right-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Alan Hutton has predicted that Timo Werner will have to make his Tottenham Hotspur debut from the bench against Manchester United, despite the absence of Son Heung-Min.
The German international could be set to make his Tottenham debut on Sunday (14 January) when Spurs make the trip to Old Trafford to face Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils in the Premier League.
Werner has joined Ange Postecoglou’s side on an initial temporary deal until the end of the season, but Spurs have the opportunity to make his stay in North London permanent for a reported £14.6million at the end of the campaign [Fabrizio Romano, 9 January].
While the absence of Son leaves a ready-made slot for the German forward to slot into Posetcogolou’s starting XI, Hutton thinks that the 27-year-old will be named among the substitutes, with Dejan Kulusevski or Brennan Johnson preferred from the off.
“It really depends when he comes into the club,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“You look at Fabio Silva coming into Rangers, he was only there for a day or so training, then he was on the bench but he did get minutes, so I think that would be the way it would go for Werner if I’m totally honest.
“As far as the lineup, I think the position is up for grabs really now that Son’s not there and it really depends on who’s fit.
“In an ideal world, you’d maybe have the likes of Maddison back, you’d play Richarlison there or Kuluveski. You’ve got Brennan Johnson, could he move up one?
“You’ve still got very, very good options with some of the squad players to come back so it will be interesting to see when he comes in and how the lineup is going to work moving forward.”
Werner has had a slow start to the season with Leipzig in Germany and he has only made eight appearances in the first half of the camp. He has only been named in the starting XI twice this season but has managed to score twice in 204 minutes of action [Fotmob].
Postecoglou has to fill a gap at the top end of the pitch for the next few weeks as Son continues to represent South Korea in Asia Cup and the consensus is that Werner could fill the South Korean’s boots in North London.
In other Tottenham news, Hutton has been left delighted that one “outstanding” star is fit and available for the United clash