Tony Cascarino is a big fan of the burgeoning partnership between Tottenham’s duo, likening them to Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Dominic Solanke’s value outside the box
When Spurs spent a club-record fee to sign Solanke from Bournemouth in the summer, the decision was certainly not universally popular among the Tottenham fan base.
Many wondered if his goal record warranted paying such a huge fee. However, it is now pretty clear why Ange Postecoglou was desperate to land the 26-year-old, who has won Spurs fans over with his all-round quality since arriving in N17.
Solanke has not only offered a physical presence up front that Tottenham were lacking last campaign but the centre-forward has also been exceptional in handing the ball in tight areas, combining smartly with his teammates to pull the opposition defenders out of position.
Solanke is a great foil for Spurs midfielder
Cascarino believes that the Tottenham newcomer’s presence and his ability to run the channels help create space for Dejan Kulusevski and bring the Swede into the game.
He likened the understanding that the pair have to the one Drogba and Lampard had during their time at Stamford Bridge.
The pundit told The Times: “I like Dejan Kulusevski’s more central role in midfield. He is dynamic and the way he drives forward, knowing teammates will be creating angles and options, reminds me a little of Frank Lampard when he was at Chelsea.
“Lampard relied on Didier Drogba to link play, and Dominic Solanke has a similar physical presence and willingness to run and battle up top.
“Since Postecoglou’s system relies on a mobile forward to drag opponents out of position, it is obvious to say that bringing in Solanke has given their attack a different dimension from last season when Richarlison led the line.”
Solanke also brings the best out of Heung-min Son
It is evident that Tottenham’s wide players are becoming better at combining with Solanke with each passing game as they understand the striker’s game better.
Like Harry Kane, the former Cherries man is adept at dropping deep to find space and turning on the ball.
That has enabled Heung-min Son to make more of his trademark out-to-in runs in between the centre-back and the full-back, which we did not see him do a lot last season.