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0% duels lost with fewer touches than Werner, what a complete FLOP”- Ange warned must sell 3/10 Spurs flop who won 0 duels having FEWER touches than Werner
Ange Postecoglou was furious after Tottenham Hotspur suffered another defeat, this time against Newcastle United at home. The loss marked the fifth in seven Premier League matches, leaving Spurs stuck at the bottom of the table.
While Tottenham are battling a severe injury crisis that has disrupted consistency, it remains frustrating to watch players make repeated mistakes.
Despite the challenges, Postecoglou has made some questionable tactical decisions, particularly starting Timo Werner on the left wing, which proved to be a mistake. The German international’s performance was dismal, as he struggled yet again.
When Werner was brought back to north London last summer for a second loan spell, Postecoglou sought added depth and appreciated the 28-year-old’s pace from last season, although not his finishing.
Heung-min Son, who had struggled against Wolves before the new year, was dropped for the Newcastle match. Though Son remains a key player, his age and declining athleticism have become more evident.
In Son’s absence, Werner offered little, lasting only an hour before being replaced by the captain, who brought more energy to the game. Son’s contribution included a successful dribble, a key pass, and a 75% success rate in duels, according to Sofascore.
This contrast highlighted Werner’s inadequacy, especially when compared to Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, who was far more effective—scoring, creating chances, and continually testing Spurs’ defense.
Werner’s poor showing will likely lead him back to the bench, but he was not the most responsible for Spurs’ defeat. That title goes to Radu Dragusin, whose poor performance has severely damaged his chances of a long-term future at the club.
Dragusin, who was signed in January 2023 for £27m from Genoa, has failed to break into a prominent role at Tottenham. In the match against Newcastle, he completed just 53% of his passes, took only 17 touches, and lost a contested duel.
London World gave him a dismal 3/10 rating, criticizing his inability to defend—an essential skill for a center-back. Although Dragusin had been ill prior to the game, his performance remained subpar, and he was overshadowed by his younger defensive partner.
The Romanian’s technical ability doesn’t align with the demands of Postecoglou’s system, leaving him behind in the pecking order, even as Tottenham struggles with defensive injuries.
His statistics over the past year show he’s among the lowest-ranking center-backs in Europe for progressive passes and only average for pass completion. With Spurs’ other defenders expected to return by the end of January, it seems unlikely that Dragusin will feature much longer.
Postecoglou may decide to cut his losses with Dragusin, especially given his poor form and the club’s injury crisis. Dragusin has made four errors in the Premier League this season, and his defensive shortcomings have been glaring.
Though he’s young and still has potential, Spurs supporters would likely not mourn his departure if Postecoglou chooses to move on.
With a current transfer value of around £21m, Dragusin’s stock has certainly dropped after this difficult run at Tottenham, but he still possesses talent and a future in football.
Some might advocate for patience and further investment in his development, but Postecoglou may decide that Dragusin’s lack of experience and fit within his tactical system make him dispensable.
