Tottenham Hotspur have had a striker problem for a number of years now, ever since the emergence of a certain Mr Harry Kane.
While Kane is undoubtedly one of the world’s best up front, what he does create is a tricky situation for any second-choice striker.
Anyone coming into the club knows for a fact that they will only ever be playing second-fiddle to the England captain, making it hard for Poch to get in a good-level player.
This leaves Spurs with a few options…
Get in someone past their prime, like they did with Fernando Llorente. Get a young someone in from a lesser league, like they did with Vincent Janssen. Use an academy prospect, like Troy Parrott. Or use existing stars to fill in up front, like Heung Min Son and Lucas Moura.
Pochettino has also attempted to play Erik Lamela up top in a false nine before, but he may have a new Argentine to occupy that role.
Football journalist and author of The Frying Pan of Spain: Sevilla v Real Betis – Spain’s Hottest Football Rivalry, Colin Millar claims that Giovani Lo Celso can occupy a number of roles.
Millar said (Football London): “You just have to look at any player in that Tottenham system.
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“Christian Eriksen’s probably a very good example as Lo Celso might not be a direct replacement for him, but they’re very similar players and Lo Celso’s probably a bit more tactically adaptable and tactically flexible.
“Pochettino’s going to love that because he has to find solutions to problems and you’ve seen that with quite a limited squad relatively for a top-six team.
“Lo Celso will be ideal for that as he can play central midfield, in a No.10 role and as a striker.
“He’s someone Pochettino will believe he can take on and I think that will happen.
“I think the most logical thing is that there will only be space for one [Eriksen or Lo Celso], but we don’t know Eriksen’s future.
“Should Eriksen leave then they already have his replacement and at a reasonably good value.
“The fact it’s a season-long loan initially and should they not qualify for the Champions League then there’s no huge financial commitment there.
“It’s something that suited Tottenham and suited Betis.
“In terms of can he play with Eriksen, I think so.
“Betis last year often played without a recognised number nine, so there was a lot of flair midfield players.
“Lo Celso was arguably the heart of that, but again he’s someone who can fit in with other players.
“He’s flexible tactically and that’s what makes him so crucial.”
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