Every weekend we pick out one player under the age of 23 from around Europe and analyse their performance to provide you with an in-depth scouting report.
As the new generation begin to make their mark, the big clubs start to be linked with an interest and that’s certainly been the case with Germany and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are known admirers and so for those fans looking to know more, we examine the 21-year-old’s display in his 50th Bundesliga game as Leipzig travelled to Borussia Monchengladbach.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 5
Shots on target – 0
Touches – 47
Passes – 24
Aerials won – 0
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 0
Dispossessed – 0
5️⃣0️⃣ games 🗓️
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) February 3, 2018
3️⃣1️⃣ goals ⚽
Congratulations on the milestone, Timo #Werner 👏 pic.twitter.com/hSKg1ydP61
30-SECOND REPORT
Despite being just 21 years old, Werner has now racked up 50 Bundesliga games with the milestone reached in Leipzig’s narrow win.
His emergence over the last two seasons has alerted virtually every European heavyweight and the Germany forward showed glimpses of his knockout ability.
At international level, Werner offers the reigning World Cup champions something they’ve seldom possessed – pace and energy.
His movement is cerebral and despite beginning the game as Leipzig’s spearhead in a front trio, Werner showed a willingness to drive into wide positions.
He had his opportunities, however, and it shouldn’t have been left to substitute Ademola Lookman to find a winner. Werner’s finishing in the early part of his career was always pretty average and despite improving to score 31 goals in his 50 league appearances, he lacked composure to add to that on Saturday.
GOT RIGHT
Movement – As mentioned above, Werner’s biggest strength is his speed and he put that to good use against Gladbach to really pressure the Gladbach back four from all three forward positions. With or without the ball he was eagerly attempting to disrupt the host’s defence.
Energy – Werner doesn’t stop moving. Even when chances are missed, he doesn’t let it negate his desire to make an impact. His dribbling skills aren’t exactly anything to shout about but his vivacity kept defenders on edge.
GOT WRONG
Shot accuracy – Only Marcel Sabitzer managed more shots on goal but Werner was off target with all five of his efforts. And there were at least two occasions he should have at least hit the target.
Passing – Granted, it’s not what he’s in the team to do but when he’s forced to give up the ball, his passing is far from crisp. He attempted the least amount of passes (24) from Leipzig’s starting XI and still only managed to find his man with 87 percent of those.
KEY MOMENTS
32nd min SHOT: Marcel Sabitzer scurries down and the right and he centres the ball to Werner who does well to drop his shoulder to find space for the shot only to balloon his effort well over.
35th min LINK-UP: Fluid movement as Werner is found in the left channel, he drives inside and finds Sabitzer but the Austrian can’t quite find space on the edge of the box and is crowded off the ball.
49th min SHOT: Drifting in from the right, Werner attacks the box and is found by Naby Keita but his first-time shot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.
59th min CROSS: Kevin Kampl squirms out of trouble near the right corner flag, he feeds the ball to Werner who whips a gorgeous cross just in front of Sippel but Bruma can’t find a connection.
61st minute CHANCE: A swift counter-attack and Sabitzer surgically opens up the Gladbach defence for the onrushing Bruma, he squares for Werner and the ball is slightly behind the German. He swivels to find space but the ball has left his grasp and is cleared.
65th minute CHANCE: Should have scored. Werner peels off the back post from Kampl’s deep free-kick but he can’t direct his header down and it sails over the bar. Good chance.
Timo Werner in action against Monchengladbach
VERDICT
His dynamic style of play is an attractive one for any potential suitors but Werner’s finishing still requires some work.
While he’s made massive strides in that department but the 21-year-old doesn’t display the same level of composure as say Robert Lewandowski – and that comparison is apt because he could one day reach that elite level.
Not on Saturday, though.
RATING: 6/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
