De Zerbi is About to Make His Biggest Tottenham Mistake Yet With Solanke

· GiveMeSport

Tottenham sit bottom of the Premier League table after seven matches

Not much more needs to be said about Tottenham Hotspur 's dreadful start to the Premier League season, which sees them lying bottom just months after avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the campaign.

Better things were expected from Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi after a huge summer spend that saw 10 new players arrive, all of whom have Premier League experience.

While Tottenham's defence and midfield were transformed, and they have good options in most positions when everyone is fit, there is one position that will be causing concern for supporters of the North London outfit.

It seemed clear to many that Spurs needed to sign a recognised new centre-forward during the summer, but they failed to do so.

It was hoped that Omar Marmoush could fill the role, but he has started the club's last two matches out wide, with Dominic Solanke preferred through the middle.

With Richarlison not named in the 25-man Premier League squad and unable to feature in the English top flight between now and January, a lot of pressure is on Solanke's shoulders to perform.

Given the former Bournemouth star's injury issues, that is a concern, and the signs from his first two league starts of the season are that he isn't in the right physical condition or form to make a difference for Tottenham right now.

Solanke for Tottenham This Season

- Appearances: 7 - Starts: 3 - Minutes: 248 - Goals: 0 - Assists: 0

Given Spurs have scored two Premier League goals this season, with both coming in their last game against Aston Villa and from Mohammed Kudus and Jan Paul Van Hecke, there are already big concerns about their attacking output.

Still, Football London have suggested that De Zerbi is ready to hand Solanke a major role in his side going forward, with the Italian having previously said earlier this month that he believes the striker can score 15 goals for Tottenham this term.

> "I spoke with him and I would like to manage him in the best way I can, in the physical aspect and in the mental aspect, because he's a sensitive guy. He needs to feel full confidence, and from myself he has big, big confidence.

> I believe he can score 10-15 goals for sure. He's already scored at Bournemouth, so why can't he score at Tottenham?

> "It's the same sport, different stadium, no pressure, because in our stadium, if we push, if we play well, the fans are with us."

If Tottenham really intend to push on to where they want to be under De Zerbi, it is clear that Solanke cannot be their first-choice centre-forward, and it would be a big mistake to consider him in that way.

He has shown glimpses of his quality during his time in north London, but it hasn't been enough, and the injury issues have only compounded how he is viewed by the fanbase.

He has netted 23 goals in 72 matches for Spurs, which comes in at just under a one-in-three average, but he hasn't scored a Premier League goal since March.

De Zerbi will want a striker who can press and be intense, and we just haven't seen that from Solanke, especially in his appearances this term.

Tottenham Striker Links From the Summer:

Tottenham were linked with some established strikers during the summer transfer window, and it remains to be seen if they have the budget to put their summer failure behind them in January, or whether they will have to wait until next summer.

Jackson is off the market following his switch to Aston Villa, but Osimhen, Mateta and Balogun are all still at the same clubs they were last season, meaning there could be opportunities there.

De Zerbi has certainly made mistakes during his Tottenham tenure to date, but believing Solanke is the answer to the club's centre-forward issue would be the most catastrophic one yet.

Read the original

People in this story

Related