Should Tottenham Hotspur have made a concerted effort to beat Newcastle United to the signing of Dwight Gayle in the summer?
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates
Dwight Gayle has been in sensational form for Newcastle so far this season, helping fire his side to a five point lead at the top of the Championship table.
His pace provides his team with such a potent threat, and that combined with his intelligent runs is what makes him such a hard player to mark.
The former Crystal Palace marksman would have been the ideal signing for Spurs in the summer, instead of Vincent Janssen, who is increasingly looking like becoming the next Roberto Soldado.
Gayle would have given Mauricio Pochettino an entirely different option, and for a manager who prides himself on tactical flexibility, it was a strange move to bring in a striker such as Janssen – who is so woefully bereft of any kind of mobility.
There is no doubting that Harry Kane is Tottenham’s number one striker, but when Pochettino opts to play two up front, Kane and Janssen are totally devoid of any compatibility, with both players playing with their back to goal for the majority of the time.
Could Kane and Gayle have been one of the most destructive Premier League strike partnerships?
The 26-year-old has been on fire for the Magpies so far this season, scoring 13 goals in as many Championship appearances, with his ability to run in behind the opposition defence proving to be a constant menace for Newcastle’s opponents.
Whilst it is hard to criticise Tottenham, who are the only remaining unbeaten side left in England’s top flight, they do sometimes struggle when plan A isn’t working and, as a side, they severely lack any kind of pace along their front line.
Dwight Gayle celebrates
Gayle would have been perfect for the north London outfit, either as a partner for Kane, or as an impact substitute.
It is never too late in football, however, and a move for Gayle should be something that the Spurs hierarchy do not rule out in the foreseeable future.
At 26, the Newcastle striker has plenty of years left before he reaches his prime, and if he continues to score at the rate he has been, Tottenham should look no further than St James’ Park for the solution to their striker woes.
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates
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