Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has reportedly identified a member of his squad who he is prepared to remove from the first-team ranks at the end of the season.
Despite showing a certain level of promise under the Greek-Australian, Spurs have lost four of their opening nine matches in the 2024-25 Premier League.
The North Londoners are perhaps fortunate to only sit five points adrift of third-placed Arsenal at this stage of the campaign.
Postecoglou has spoken this week of the need for time when expectations are rising at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, citing the additions of several youngsters.
Nevertheless, he is seemingly prepared to part ways with one of his more experienced squad members once this campaign is over.
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Werner playing for Spurs future?
According to GIVEMESPORT, Postecoglou is open to replacing Timo Werner in the long term.
The versatile attacker is currently on his second successive loan stint from RB Leipzig, the hope having been that he could recapture some of the form from earlier in his career.
As it stands, though, the 28-year-old has only chipped in with two goals and four assists from his 25 appearances in all competitions.
Most notably, Werner has been provided with just 242 minutes of football in the Premier League this season, while just five of his 11 appearances in all competitions have come from the starting lineup.
While Spurs have the option to push through a permanent deal at the end of the season, it is claimed that they are more likely to allow the Germany international to return to RB Leipzig.
Werner would have just one year remaining on his contract with the Bundesliga giants if he were to return there prior to the summer transfer window.
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Still hope for Werner...
The same report claims that Werner will continue to have opportunities to change Postecoglou's stance, starting with the EFL Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
With their opponents likely to make several changes and include a number of youngsters, Postecoglou is expected to take the same approach.
Werner is more likely to be deployed on one of the flanks with Richarlison potentially being deployed down the middle of the attack.