Timo Werner (RB Leipzig, 11); Freisteller, Einzelbild, Aktion, action
Written by Hammad
“Timo Werner lives life in the fast lane. His rise through the ranks into German footballing stardom has been as rapid as his runs towards goal on the pitch. In keeping with this theme, it’s fitting that ‘Turbo Timo’ is ready to take the next big step of his career earlier than most”
In this short player profile, we will take a look at the things that make Timo Werner such a deadly striker. We will discuss his astonishing numbers (25 goals and 9 assists in 28 games in all competitions), his playing style and the next destination for the German speedster. Football score predictions will have a tough time determining this season’s Bundesliga winners thanks to players like Timo lighting up the league.
INTRODUCTION
Timo Werner is a 23-year-old striker who is currently playing for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Werner started at the youth setup at TSV Steinhaldenfeld before joining his home town club VFB Stuttgart in 2002. He made his senior team debut in a Europa League qualifier in 2013. Werner spent three seasons at Stuttgart, where he netted 13 times in 96 appearances. He had modest numbers at Stuttgart, where Werner played as a left-winger in most games. The young German has had a lot more success at RB Leipzig where he arrived in 2016. The €10 million paid by Leipzig looks like an absolute bargain as Werner has scored 70 goals in 113 matches for the East German club.
Timo has scored 11 times for the German National team in 29 appearances, which includes the Golden Boot award at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Werner’s success should not be a surprise to anyone as he was extremely prolific at youth international level, where the Leipzig Hitman registered 34 goals in just 48 games across different age groups.
FUN FACTS ABOUT WERNER
He became the youngest player to play for the Stuttgart first team and he is also their youngest ever goalscorer. Werner Achieved the milestone of being the youngest person to reach 50, 100, 150 and 200 Bundesliga appearances, however, Bayer Leverkusen’s sensation Kai Havertz now holds the former two records. Timo has registered at least 19 goals and 7 assists in every season from 2016/17.
PLAYING STYLE
Timo Werner is a striker but he can be deployed as a winger from the left side, something he does regularly for RB Leipzig. Out of his 25 goals this season, 3 came when Werner started as the left-winger. Werner’s biggest strengths are his speed, dribbling ability and his ability to hold on to the ball. The German is a massive threat on counter-attacks. During their time in the Bundesliga, Leipzig’s game plan has been all about high-octane pressing and counters but the 1.8 meter tall striker is not just a speed demon. The 23-year-old is very good at dribbling, he averages 1.3 dribbles per game in 26 Bundesliga and Champions League games. Aside from terrorizing defenses with his electrifying pace, Werner likes to play short passes with teammates.
The Leipzig forward averages 1.5 key passes per game and has registered 6 assists in 20 League games this season. He is averaging 3.8 shots per game in all competitions this season and he has made 80 attempts at goal in 20 league games for Leipzig. Werner has played as the only striker in a 4-3-3 and 5-2-3 (for German national team), He has played and thrived in a two striker partnership (with Yussuf Poulsen at Leipzig).
Furthermore, he can be used as a left-winger too as he posses the speed, dribbling ability and vision to find teammates.
WEAKNESS
Despite being 5 ft 11 inches, Werner is below average in the air. In the two striker partnership at Leipzig, it’s Poulsen who is tasked with winning the long balls because Werner has won just 0.2 aerial duels in 28 games in all competitions at the Red Bull Arena.
NEXT DESTINATION FOR THE GERMANY HITMAN
Every single big club should and will be looking at Werner in the summer. Aside from his sensational season, the German has a very interesting contract situation. The Stuttgart youth product signed a contract extension with Leipzig till 2023 but according to multiple reports, Timo Werner’s new contract includes a buyout clause. According to Kicker, the buyout clause is around €30 million while Bild reports that the clause could rise up to €60 million, depending on performances. Werner turns 24 on March 6 and even 60 million is a bargain in today’s market. We have already seen astonishing fees in the transfers of Neymar Jr, K.Mbappe, Joao Felix, Ousmane Dembele, and P.Coutinho, so this clause in Werner’s contract is worth examining.
You have read about his numerous qualities in this article, Werner will improve any club that he joins. In my humble opinion, clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and even Juventus should go after Timo Werner. Werner is already a star, who is improving his numbers and his game rapidly. The buyout clause in his contract is a major game-changer, so, Leipzig should expect a lot of people coming in to ask about their hitman in the summer.
