Breaking news- Spurs in a late move to land £34m Werner upgrade who plays better than Saka & Martinelli and could be instrumental to Spurs trophy chase

With just a few days remaining before the summer transfer window comes to a close, Tottenham Hotspur fans have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the upcoming season. Daniel Levy and his team have been busy, securing a wide array of talented players. Among them are promising young prospects like Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, and Yang Min-Hyeok, who have the potential to evolve into future stars. Additionally, they’ve brought in more established talents like Dominic Solanke, who is not only first-team ready but also proven at the Premier League level.

However, one decision stands out as a potential misstep: the extension of Timo Werner’s loan deal for another season. While Werner’s performance last year wasn’t terrible, it fell short of the expectations needed to elevate the club to the next level. The club’s choice to stick with him has left some fans questioning whether it was the right move, especially considering the availability of potential upgrades earlier in the transfer window. Among those linked with Spurs was a player likened to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, a comparison that speaks volumes about the quality the club might have missed out on.

Werner’s Time at Spurs

Tottenham’s decision to bring in Werner during the January transfer window was fueled by a need to reinforce their attacking options. The season had started with a bang, but as the campaign wore on, the team began to lose steam. In a bid to rejuvenate the squad, Daniel Levy turned his attention to Werner, a former Chelsea forward who had fallen out of favor at RB Leipzig.

The North London club secured Werner on a six-month loan deal, with an option to buy for £15 million. The hope was that under Ange Postecoglou’s aggressive, high-pressing system, the 28-year-old would rediscover the lethal form that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers when he first moved to Stamford Bridge in 2020.

However, instead of the prolific goalscorer Spurs were hoping for, they ended up with a winger whose performances were more workmanlike than game-changing. Werner managed to score two goals and provide three assists in 14 appearances, a contribution that, while adequate, didn’t set the league on fire. His season was further hampered by an injury that cut his campaign short, raising doubts about his ability to make a significant impact.

It’s important to acknowledge that Werner wasn’t disastrous during his spell at Tottenham. He was serviceable, with his tally of two goals and three assists being respectable for a midseason acquisition. But therein lies the issue: he was merely “okay.” For a team with aspirations of breaking into the top four and challenging for silverware, “okay” simply isn’t enough.

Werner’s recent goal-scoring record doesn’t inspire much confidence either. Over the past four seasons, he has only managed to hit the 15-goal mark once, and based on his displays last season, it’s unlikely he’ll do so again this year. Given this, extending his loan deal seems counterproductive, especially when the club was linked with a far superior option this summer: Kingsley Coman.

Why Kingsley Coman Could Have Been the Better Choice

Earlier this month, Tottenham was reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman, a player widely regarded as an ideal upgrade over Werner. Coman, who was rumored to be available for around £34 million or even on a season-long loan, is a “complete” winger. Former France U17 coach Patrick Gonfalone once described him as such, highlighting his all-around abilities on the pitch.

While Coman’s previous season may not have been his best, he still managed to score five goals and provide three assists. The year before, he registered nine goals and seven assists, showcasing his consistent ability to contribute in the final third. What makes Coman particularly intriguing are the comparisons to players like Martinelli and Saka, who have both been instrumental for Arsenal.

These comparisons aren’t just superficial. According to FBref, a platform that analyzes players across Europe’s top five leagues, Champions League, and Europa League, Coman’s style and effectiveness are remarkably similar to Martinelli’s, who is considered the most comparable winger or attacking midfielder to the Frenchman. Bukayo Saka, another rising star, also shares several underlying metrics with Coman, making him the seventh most comparable player.

When breaking down the numbers, the similarities between Coman and these Arsenal talents become even more evident. Martinelli’s strengths lie in his non-penalty expected goals plus assists, actual non-penalty goals plus assists, short passing accuracy, crosses, and ball recoveries per 90 minutes—areas where Coman also excels. Meanwhile, Saka’s close comparisons to Coman can be seen in metrics like expected assists, goals per shot, shots on target, blocks, tackles on dribblers, and touches in the attacking third.

But it’s not just the statistics that align. Coman’s creative and goal-scoring prowess is on par with Martinelli and Saka, two players who have been pivotal in Arsenal’s rise under Mikel Arteta. Bringing in a player of Coman’s caliber would have added a new dimension to Tottenham’s attack, potentially bridging the gap between Spurs and the top Premier League sides.

The Verdict- Werner vs. Coman

While Timo Werner isn’t a bad player, his limitations make it difficult to see him as the man to help Tottenham reach the next level. Extending his loan deal may have seemed like a safe bet, but it also means the club could be missing out on an opportunity to bring in a truly transformative player like Coman. The comparisons to Martinelli and Saka serve as a reminder of what Spurs could achieve with the right additions to their squad.

As the transfer window draws to a close, Tottenham’s decision-makers, led by Daniel Levy, should seriously consider making a last-minute move for a player like Coman. His potential impact on the team could be the difference between another season of near-misses and a genuine challenge for trophies. The clock is ticking, and the window is about to slam shut—Tottenham must act quickly if they want to capitalize on this opportunity.