Ange Postecoglou calls out UNACCEPTABLE Tottenham star

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was left fuming with one player in particular as Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.

Postecoglou had to watch as his side fought back from a goal down to pick up a point in a thrilling encounter at Ibrox thanks to an equaliser from Dejan Kulusevski, but by the time they pulled level, the Australian coach had already hooked Timo Werner.

The German turned in a desperately disappointing display on the left wing, at one stage even allowing the ball to slide past his foot when it looked a simple pass to control. Postecoglou, who was clearly livid at the player’s attitude, took him off at the break.

The outspoken manager, who is under pressure after a run of one win in eight matches, was happy to single Werner out for criticism.

STATS

19

Games
1

Goals
3

Assists

“He wasn’t playing anywhere near the levels he can. When you’ve got 18-year-olds, it’s not acceptable to me. I told him that. He’s a senior international, a German international,” Postecoglou told the media.

“In the moment we’re in now, I need everyone to be at least going out there and giving the best they can. What he produced wasn’t acceptable. When I’m asking the younger players to do massive jobs, I expect more from the senior players like him.”

It was notable that former Chelsea star Werner failed to complete in a single duel in his 45 minutes on the field against Rangers. By contrast, Kulusevski, who replaced him, attempted seven.

Timo Werner's Tottenham woes go on — © IMAGO – Timo Werner’s Tottenham woes go on

€10m buy-out

Werner, 28, has been on loan with Tottenham from RB Leipzig since January yet the prospect of his loan being made permanent looks scant, despite a relatively cheap buy-out clause of €10 million. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) remains at €29.2m but is on the slide.

He has made 19 appearances this season for Spurs, largely from the bench, and has produced just a single goal and three assists.

With Postecoglou having infamously promised trophies for Tottenham this season, Werner’s lacklustre level against Rangers clearly will not be tolerated as the pressure mounts on the club.