Tottenham added to their attacking ranks on deadline day, and there’s proof it could be a superb piece of business.
Tottenham Hotspur’s signing of Swansea striker Fernando Llorente on deadline day is significant for a number of reasons, not least because the giant attacker demonstrated impressive statistics in comparison to the London club’s existing forward options during his first Premier League season.
Though Vincent Janssen’s struggles in front of goal were well documented, Tottenham’s new £12 million man (ESPN) also outshone Golden Boot winner Harry Kane in a couple of areas, helping to provide Mauricio Pochettino with an alternative attacking approach in the coming campaign.
Statistics for Premier League 2016/17 season
| Position | Team | Goals | Total Attempts | Attempts per Goal | Aerial Challenges Won | Headed Goal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane | FW | Tottenham | 29 | 110 | 3.79 | 39 | 2 |
| Fernando Llorente | FW | Swansea | 15 | 49 | 3.27 | 141 | 7 |
| Vincent Janssen | FW | Tottenham | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 3 | 0 |
The Spanish star demonstrated an outstanding goals to attempts ratio, one that even outperformed Tottenham talisman Harry Kane. Llorente found the back of the net in just over one in three attempts, with Kane’s ratio closer to one in four. Vincent Janssen really struggled in this department, scoring just twice in 27 games – and once from open play – which left him with a ratio of needing 14.5 attempts to score.
But although Llorente’s goal-getting ability is admittedly impressive, it is his outrageous aerial threat that promises to offer the biggest opportunity to Mauricio Pochettino’s side. The 32-year-old won a massive 141 aerial challenges last season, over three times as many as Kane – who is also a capable target man.
Swansea certainly played to Llorente’s strengths as they fought for their lives down at the foot of the table, but with a tendency to offer a goal threat and win his battles in the air, it was an approach that brought success. With the likes of Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderwiereld and Kieran Trippier in the side, Spurs now possess an alternative approach that could pay dividends in the tightest of matches.
Additionally, Kane possesses the ability to play off of a striker like Llorente, with his passing and long-range threat, with Pochettino trying him alongside Janssen early last season.
Naturally, Kane will remain Tottenham’s main man, but there is no doubt that Llorente’s arrival gives the club plenty more options up top.
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