Tottenham Hotspur signed the forward from Swansea City in the summer.
As impressive as Harry Kane has been for Tottenham Hotspur over the last few years, Spurs fans have been crying out for a new striker to ease the pressure on the England international and stand in for him when injuries and suspensions strike.
Vincent Janssen was not that man, with the Dutch international shipped out on loan after a single season in North London, but Fernando Llorente is a different prospect all together and the 32-year-old’s summer arrival was hailed by all as a masterstroke.
Unfortunately for the former Swansea City player, he has had to make do with a bit-part role to date, making just two brief appearances off the bench in both the Premier League and Europe as well as enjoying a 67-minute run-out in the EFL Cup against Barnsley.
That is less than he would have hoped for, given his 15-goal return for the Swans last season. But Tottenham’s formation and Kane’s form means it could be a while before Spurs fans see the best of the towering Spaniard.
In fact, it could be the Christmas and New Year period that allows Tottenham to give Llorente the game time he craves, with the matches coming thick and fast and rotation key to a successful few weeks.
It is for those very reasons that Llorente has been signed; an effective alternative to Kane whocan come on when things are not going well but also start matches when they are kicking off every two days as they will at the turn of the year.
In time Llorente should prove himself to be a fine addition for Tottenham, and their additional strength in depth speaks volumes about how far they have come under Mauricio Pochettino.
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