Dominic Solanke has performed very well for Tottenham amid injury crisis
Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou identified the forward areas of the pitch as something that needed reinforcing in the summer. He re-signed Timo Werner on a season-long loan from RB Leipzig before also bringing in Wilson Odobert from Burnley.
However, the Lilywhites grabbed the headlines by breaking their club record in the summer. Dominic Solanke became Spurs’ most expensive acquisition of all time when he completed a £65million switch from Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
After adapting to Ange Postecoglou’s system, Dominic Solanke has made a decent start to his life in North London, scoring 10 times so far this season while also delivering five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions.
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However, what has stood out about the England international more than his goal contributions is the work he does off the ball, with the 27-year-old being a tireless presser and helping his side win possession back higher up the pitch. He has always been the first man to press from the front, laying the foundation for his teammates to follow.
Ange Postecoglou was facing the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Spurs’ home game against Newcastle United in the Premier League, which new England boss Thomas Tuchel is set to attend to start his scouting work for March’s World Cup qualifiers. When asked what Dominic Solanke can do to impress Tuchel, the Tottenham tactician said (h/t Football London):
“Dom has been outstanding for us. He has scored goals but it is just his all-round game and his capacity to help the team in all aspects of our football. Defensively, link-up play, still being a presence in the box. Really intelligent with his movement and really carrying that position on his back with no help, no rest.
So I think it says an enormous amount about his character and the person he is. I can’t speak highly enough of him. The load he has had to carry for us over the last two months without a lot of help and from us being able to allow him to recover and still every week he puts in a massive performance.
“I have no doubt, I’m sure Thomas has been following him, that he will be impressed.”
Apart from scoring goals and being the first man to start the press for Tottenham, Solanke’s hold-up and link-up play has been impressive too. He is also elusive in his movement in and around the box and a threat from set-plays.
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Most of his goals for former employers Bournemouth last season came in and around the six-yard box and the same has been true at Spurs so far, demonstrating his superb instincts in front of goal. Solanke is a proper team man and knows how to make space for his team’s creative talents to thrive.
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Once key players start returning from injury problems, Solanke’s game will improve further and he will score a lot more goals for Tottenham. All in all, his incredible work ethic off the ball doesn’t go unnoticed.
