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Fernando Llorente opens up on Tottenham ‘struggles’

Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax at the Totten...
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The striker hasn’t lived up to expectations since joining Tottenham Hotspur two years ago.

Tottenham manager  head coach Mauricio Pochettino celebrates with Fernando Llorente of Tottenham after Llorente scored a goal to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between...

Tottenham ace Fernando Llorente sat down for an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, and admitted that it has been a struggle acting as Harry Kane’s back-up over the past two seasons.

The 34-year-old joined Spurs from Swansea City in the summer of 2017 for around £15 million, according to BBC Sport, but he has struggled to make much of an impact, racking up just 13 goals in 63 appearances in all competitions thus far.

Llorente has had to make do with mostly substitute appearances, but he has been playing more regularly recently for Tottenham, with Harry Kane out injured.

The Spaniard’s current contract expires in the summer, however, and as things stand, it is looking like he will not be offered a new deal.

When speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Llorente opened up on how difficult he has found it playing second fiddle to Kane over the past two years:

Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur during a training session on February 20, 2019 in Enfield, England.

“Internally, it’s a struggle. Because in the end what all players want is to play every Sunday, so every time you don’t, it’s a disappointment. But that’s also where you learn to be mentally strong and say, ‘Okay, I’m not playing but I have to keep working hard every day and I have to be ready when the opportunity comes and the míster needs me’.”

Tottenham do still have some vital games to play this season, and Llorente might just be able to save his Spurs career by producing the goods over the course of the next few weeks.

Llorente does have a lot to offer Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but whether he can prove his worth before the season ends remains to be seen.

Dortmund's Swiss goalkeeper Roman Buerki (L) is injured by Tottenham Hotspur's Spanish striker Fernando Llorente (R) and later stretchered off during the UEFA Champions League Group H...