Tottenham Hotspur should consider promoting youth striker.
Spurs will have to ask themselves two questions; (a) will selling to a rival negatively impact them, and (b) can they replace him?
The natural reaction would be to block a move to a rival, but Llorente’s performances for Spurs have been so poor this season that they should not be worried about the impact he would have.
In terms of a replacement, Tottenham already have one, a player who Llorente is holding back.
That is talented youth forward Kazaiah Sterling, who scored last night for the under-23s in a win at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Sterling, who also missed a penalty in the victory, has now scored nine times this season for Spurs’ youth sides, with notable goals in big games.
In addition to his strike at Old Trafford last night, Sterling has scored against Real Madrid and in two separate matches against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League.
This ability to score when it matters will help him mentally transition to the task of playing for the first team.
Sterling made his debut for Tottenham’s first team in the final minute in a Champions League win over APOEL last year.
He has done enough at under-23 level to suggest he deserves a run ahead of the limited Llorente whether they sell to Chelsea or not.
Promoting him will allow Spurs’ talented under-18 striker Reo Griffiths – on 16 goals this season – a chance to develop at under-23 level, and works all round.
Llorente has done little to deserve further chances, and Mauricio Pochettino should demonstrate his famed faith in youth by promoting Sterling.
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