05/08/2024
Spurs' Striker Struggles
In recent days, it has become increasingly likely that Dominic Solanke will move his talents from the South Coast to North London during this summer's transfer window. But could this finally be the key to bringing success and trophies to the Lilywhites?
Since re-signing Jermaine Defoe from Portsmouth in 2009, Spurs have largely 'missed the mark' in signing a prolific striker. Fortunately, Harry Kane emerged from the youth academy and filled that role for nearly a decade. After scoring a staggering 280 goals for Tottenham, Kane departed for German giants Bayern Munich, leaving Spurs scrambling for a successor. In the summer of 2022, Spurs made Richarlison their second-biggest signing ever, reportedly spending £60 million on the Evertonian. Many Spurs fans were excited to see Richarlison lead the front line in future seasons, especially after he scored a brilliant brace in his European debut against Marseille. Unfortunately, due to various factors such as a managerial change (from Antonio Conte to Ange Postecoglou), injuries, and a lack of confidence, Richarlison's time at The Lane has not been a fairytale so far. There is even speculation that Richarlison may leave this summer if the fee is right.
Ange's man?
This has prompted Spurs to explore the market for a long-term talisman. They have been linked with Jonathan David, Loïs Openda, and most notably, Ivan Toney. Many Tottenham fans wonder why they don't quickly secure Toney for a cut price of £40 million, given that he has only one year left on his Brentford contract. Toney had a remarkable 2022/2023 season, netting 21 goals for an impressive Brentford side. However, Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham have consistently emphasized that they are looking not just for quality but also for the right attitude and mentality in a player. The growth of Djed Spence is a perfect example. After a failed loan spell at Leeds United, where he played just seven games and manager Daniel Farke hinted that Spence's attitude was the main reason the loan was cut short, it seemed like his future at Spurs was over. However, Spence had a stronger loan spell at Italian side Genoa and has now returned to the Lilywhites determined to prove his worth, which has led to him regaining a place in the squad. While it's often hard to gauge a player's attitude, in the case of Dominic Solanke, it's clear that he's hungry to play at the highest level, with journalist Paul O'Keefe stating that the striker is 'itching' to join Spurs.
Dominic Solanke - Tottenham's Perfect Profile
At first glance, Dominic Solanke appears to be a player who had a great goalscoring campaign last year for a strong Bournemouth side, although his season-by-season consistency is yet to be fully proven. Beyond goalscoring, Solanke possesses many other attributes that align perfectly with Postecoglou's ideology. Last season, Spurs were known for their high-pressing, intense style of play—leading the league in tackles in the attacking third with 125—which facilitated quick turnovers and created goalscoring opportunities. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola recently said, 'He can play in a very offensive team because he’s good enough in the box. And out of possession, he’s the first one that gives the intensity to the press.' This was demonstrated perfectly against Newcastle United at St. James' Park when Solanke sprinted to pressure Sven Botman, forcing a sideways pass to Dubravka. Solanke followed up, causing the goalkeeper to miscontrol the ball, leading to Solanke putting the Cherries 1-0 up.
Solanke's strong pressing, combined with dynamic wingers like Son and Johnson, could be a dangerous force next season. The Bournemouth forward formed a great partnership with a similarly profiled winger in Antoine Semenyo. One area where Tottenham struggled last season was in aerial duels, both defensively and offensively. Spurs lost over 50% of their aerial duels, ranking them as the sixth worst in the Premier League—two of those six teams, Burnley and Sheffield United, were relegated. Ange Postecoglou will be keen to improve those statistics. Solanke's aerial presence and sharp movement in the penalty area often created chaos for Bournemouth, especially when their usual fluid build-up play wasn't effective. This would add versatility to Ange's tactics, as many relegation-battling sides deployed a low block, making it difficult for Spurs to penetrate with their typical possession-based approach. Solanke's aerial ability was crucial in Bournemouth's narrow 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last season, where he scored two headers. According to Opta, just four percent of players would be expected to score the second header that clinched the game and secured Solanke his first Premier League hat-trick.
Solanke's aerial ability would certainly complement Tottenham's current right-back, Pedro Porro. In a recent article, journalist Charlie Eccleshare noted that 'Tottenham have a Beckham clone at right-back,' and it's hard to disagree. Last season, Porro averaged nearly six crosses per 90 minutes, making him the third-highest assisting fullback in the league, behind Kieran Trippier and Alfie Doughty. Porro's crossing numbers soared during his half-season with Sporting Lisbon in the 2022/2023 campaign. When paired with the aerial presence of Paulinho, Porro averaged a staggering nine crosses per 90 minutes, contributing to 10 assists in just half a season before his January move to Tottenham. Solanke has similar capabilities to Paulinho, which should lead to a strong link-up next season.
It's reported that Bournemouth are willing to accept around £60 million for their star player, which, in today's market, is a great price for a versatile, Premier League-proven goalscorer. Solanke could be the player to spearhead Ange's side to domestic and/or European glory.