It’s especially disappointing after Ange’s post season interview where he basically spoke about looking to kick on and improve. This just reverts to what we already know isn’t good enough to help us elevate our level.
I’ve been back and forth on Werner. Another loan with an option is sensible given his injury, rather than forking out the fee. I think his contribution was decent when fit. He’s one of those signings you need when you have a lot of games because he raises the floor of the squad in a way that Gil, or an academy player, or someone coming into the league from abroad, isn’t guaranteed to do. If we assume Gil is out of the door, and of course Perisic is gone, then Werner replaces some of that experience, and we obviously then need to sign an exciting 1v1 winger with high potential. Maybe we’ll try and flip Solomon too. If signing Werner comes at the expense of the more exciting signing that potentially raises the ceiling of the squad though, then I’m less keen on it. He’s very much a consolidation signing for me and we need to keep building for the future first and foremost.
We’ve been over this time and time again Not a chance in hell is someone of his ability level going to turn down circa £10k a week to go off to the lower leagues for less money in the hope of eventually clawing his way to the top when there’s a higher chance of fading into obscurity. He’s making the smartest decision possible.
Yeah financially it makes sense for him. Like you say, he’s living the dream. Basically being paid to exercise
Another downside is that it limits youngsters game time again. The more I think about it, the more I’m disappointed with it.
I’ll know more about how I feel by the end of the window. Like I said I wouldn’t want this to get in the way of the marquee wing signing we need (though perhaps we’ll look for a more naturally right sided player now?) which is the main thing for me. I’d rather have Werner as a squad player than Gil. And I trust Ange’s judgement on the player.
If the club sees Mikey Moore as Son's long term competition and eventual successor (which it should), it makes little sense spending £30-40m on a player who will just get in the way of his development. Signing a proper ST will allow us to move Son back to his position. Werner and Solomon for cover while Moore develops is Moore than enough. I'll get my coat.
It’s why I wonder if we’re looking more for a right-sided first team winger who is flexible but predominantly on that side. Our squad and academy is quite stacked on the left but outside of Jude Soonsup-Bell, who has played across the front I believe but mainly on the right this season, I think it’s a little more sparse there.
I think it is more of an area of worry. Kulusevski sadly just doesn't look like he is developing beyond the ability he showed when he first joined, which most teams have sussed out and largely neutralised. Although having said that I do think almost all problems we had across the front line last season were chronic after effects of not having a proper ST. Get the right player in place for that and I think whoever plays on the flanks will have more joy almost by default. Brennan had a decent season but is still a ways off from the level players at the teams above us bring to the table. As you say, beyond those two we don't really have any other options.
If the club sees Moore as Son’s heir which we’d all hope then Werner is exactly the type of player we should be avoiding as his game time should be given to Moore. Werner and Solomon both vying for the leftovers that Son leaves in the Europa/ domestic cups, Moore’s chances of getting any game time to aid said development practically disappears. If we then presume/ hope that Ange gets us into the CL the following season, there’s not a chance he’ll be giving game time to Moore in any of that. Many if not all fans had been hoping we shed a lot of the mediocre squad players this summer, now we’ve just added to it.
What should his ambition be? Do you think he’s good enough to play in the Premier League or Championship or equivalent leagues? If not then I fail to see how he’s “wasting his career”. Walking away from a now 5 year contract to join a much smaller club who’d pay him less and on a shorter deal does not scream ambition in the slightest.
I’ve already said a few times that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Santiago leave this summer, or at least ask to leave. Any chances of Moore catching minutes as well is practically gone. I wouldn’t mind if the players playing instead of them are ones you genuinely believe can help elevate Spurs and harshly but understandably block any pathway for a young player but knowing Werner’s gonna be doing that is a real downer. To make it worse I’ve read we’ll be covering his entire salary which equates to roughly £150k-£160k a week… £160k a week to watch Werner for another year. If I’m Porro/ Udogie/ van de Ven etc I’m asking for a massive pay rise.
The Rooney path isn’t for everyone and leads to burnout too often. What if Moore is on more of a Kane, or Foden, trajectory? Nothing wrong with Moore getting more age group football and first team exposure over the next year or so. He’s 16. I agree that he, and the other youngsters, those that don’t go out on loan, should get hopefully more opportunities going forwards but he’s very young.
No one’s asking for him to be in the starting XI though. But with Son, Solomon and now Werner, he almost certainly won’t even be getting any cameos. Just when do these opportunities arise? Not just for Moore but anyone? We had ample chances this season and chose not too, if we’re adding squad fillers like Werner for next season then there won’t be opportunities there. Then say we qualify for the CL for the following year which I assume Ange aims to do, you think any of the 21s or 18s will be used in that? We seem to be one of the few clubs nowadays seemingly petrified to hand significant chances to young players.
I agree the approach needs to change. I was surprised Donley and Santiago in particular didn’t get more opportunities at the start of 2024 when we were very light on players. And even the young CBs at the end of last year.
I don’t think it will change, signing guys like Werner just strengthen my view on it. I’ve said it for sometime now under numerous managers but we are an utter graveyard for youth. A huge shame too, especially as we were once a club that prided ourselves on youth development.
Your position on this has changed quite a bit in the past few months. Not long ago you were saying we should sign a player permanently instead of Werner for upwards of £15m, despite the effect that would have on Moore's progress. Now you're saying we shouldn't sign anyone out of fear of hindering Moore's progress. Which is it? I see this as a very sensible way to secure Moore's development. It doesn't thrust a huge burden on him to be Son's understudy at the age of 16/17. It allows him to spend more time in and among the first team, making sub appearances when required. Solomon remains an unknown quantity. We only caught glimpses of what he can do. For all we know, he's actually not that good and/or won't ever be the same player again after a really bad injury, two procedures and multiple setbacks. The alternative is spending money on an upgrade on Werner who may or may not turn out to be better than the German, but will almost certainly get in the way of Moore not just this season but for the duration of their contract. And in the event that they don't get in his way, that will likely indicate that they were a complete waste of money.
Spurs have never had such a rep in my supporting lifetime. Before the class of 2012-13, I can only recall the kids who came thru from 1980 onward being objectively larger as a group. The academy has lost its way since 2015, and enough of us have said that needs to be corrected ASAP.
