When it comes to identifying the weak points in the respective squads of all 20 Premier League teams, Tottenham Hotspur’s stood out more than most.
Like the proverbial sore thumb, you did not need a PHD in footballing philosophy or a UEFA coaching badge to realise where Tottenham were at their weakest.
Even Ange Postecoglou said it himself.
One year on from Harry Kane’s tear-stained departure to Bayern Munich, Spurs still did not have a classic number nine capable of bringing to the table what their former captain did over so many goal-laden years.
Heung-Min Son and Richarlison did their level best during Postecoglou’s debut campaign but that felt more like a short-term, sticking-plaster sort of solution when something a little more permanent was required.
And while it would maybe be unfair to expect a Kane-level return from Dominic Solanke, the club-record £65 million deal that brings him in from AFC Bournemouth feels like, if not the final piece of Tottenham’s jigsaw, then certainly a massive step towards completing the puzzle.
Tottenham Hotspur sign Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke
In all competitions last season, Solanke scored 21 goals. Only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak could better his record of 19 in the Premier League.
Produce a similar return in North London – chances won’t be in short supply after Burnley whizzkid Wilson Odobert was added to Tottenham’s already enviable collection of widemen – and Solanke will certainly be far more worthy of a place in Spurs’ record books than previous headline addition Tanguy Ndombele ever was.
Alan Shearer, a man who knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net, feels that Solanke will certainly improve a Spurs side who finished within touching distance of the Champions League spots despite the lack of a reliable striker.
“I am really interested in seeing how Solanke is going to do,” Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, says on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football preview show.
“It is a lot of money but he had a brilliant season. I do think they had to strengthen in that position. An interesting one.”
“Tottenham only missed fourth place by two points last season,” the former England striker adds to BBC Sport. “And Dominic Solanke could be a very clever signing for them.
“I am expecting him to do well.”
When pressed further on where Spurs will finish with Solanke leading the line, however, the former Blackburn Rovers and Southampton hitman indicated that lightning could strike twice for Postecoglou.
Especially with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle seemingly boasting stronger squads too. His beloved Magpies are closing in on a club-record £65 million deal of their own for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, HITC understands.
“I’ve got them just missing out on Champions League,” Shearer adds of Tottenham’s chances. “But (they will qualify for) European football though.”
Ange Postecoglou delighted with Solanke start
With the top seven teams in the Premier League now commanding a spot in continental competition, you would certainly hope so.
Not only a clinical finisher, Solanke also possesses the excellent back-to-goal prowess and the intelligent link-play to perform a role not too dissimilar to the one Kane perfected in a Tottenham shirt.
HITC understands that Spurs had made Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord a leading target at the start of the summer. The proven Premier League qualities of Solanke may have made this an opportunity too good to ignore, however.
They also looked at Evanilson of FC Porto. He is now joining Bournemouth instead for £40 million.
Postecoglou, meanwhile, tells Football London that Solanke should be ready to make his mark during Monday’s trip to Leicester City.
“Thankfully, it is what we expected,” Postecoglou says when asked about Solanke’s impact on the training pitch. “He is a top pro. A good guy. He has sort of settled into the dressing room really well.
“Footballing-wise, you can see he has the attributes that kind of fit into what we want to do really well. There is still an adjustment period there as we play a little bit differently and train differently and we have seen that with every new signing that comes in.
“So far he has fit in really well with the group and training. We still have a couple of sessions to go but so far, so good.”
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