If you are looking for someone to offer advice to a Premier League striker, there are few better choices than the competition’s record goalscorer, Alan Shearer. So, how does he think Dominic Solanke needs to improve at Tottenham?
Tottenham paid huge money to land Solanke
It is fair to say that some eyebrows were raised when Tottenham spent £65m on Solanke in the summer, with many pundits suggesting that the Lilywhites have overpaid for the striker (Sky Sports).
However, Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that the 26-year-old was the forward that he was keen to bring in, insisting that the Englishman is the perfect fit for his system (Football.London).
One can certainly understand why Postecoglou feels so, with Solanke getting most of his goals in and around the six-yard box last season and being one of the best-pressing forwards across the Premier League.
Tottenham could have certainly done with the newcomer at St James’ Park as they lacked a goal poacher to get on the end of all the crosses they played into the box, but Solanke struggled to show that kind of energy against Arsenal in the North London Derby.
Alan Shearer says Solanke needs to show more instinct
Tottenham pressed high against Arsenal in the first 60 minutes and got their reward on more than one occasion, with Solanke being the main beneficiary.
However, when Spurs rolled the ball into their new striker with acres of space in the box after turning over possession, he took too many chances and Arsenal were able to get a block on.
Commenting on the wasted chance, Shearer told Premier League Productions (15/09/24 at 2:55 pm): “You have got ten yards where there is no defender that can get to you.
“You don’t need three touches which is what he tried to do. The really top players take one touch, move it out of their feet and get the shot away at goal.”
Spurs Web Opinion
What Tottenham lacked more than anything else last season was a natural goal-poacher who sniffs chances in and around the six-yard box.
Solanke was arguably the best at doing that in the Premier League outside Erling Haaland last season, so hopefully he will come good in the coming weeks.