Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has highlighted one area Dominic Solanke needs to improve following his poor outing against Brentford.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi looked a frustrated figure on the touchline last weekend as his side crumbled against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
It looked like men against boys for most of the clash, with Keith Andrews’ side showing more fighting spirit throughout the encounter.
Tottenham struggled to deal with Brentford’s physicality, failed to win their aerial duels and were just as poor in ground duels. With such a lacklustre display, a 3-0 defeat came as no surprise.
Roberto De Zerbi urges £65m Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke to improve
An improved display is needed this midweek as Spurs gear up to take on Charlton Athletic in their Carabao Cup round two clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Another defeat will certainly not do any good to the Lilywhites’ confidence, and head coach Roberto De Zerbi is well aware of this.
The Italian is now looking to spark a reaction from a couple of his senior players, including Dominic Solanke, who featured from the bench against Brentford and was poor following his introduction.
Speaking to football.london about the centre-forward’s display and what he expects from him for the rest of the season, he said: “He is another important player, but we stay up with Richarlison last season. Richarlison also I love him but he has to play much better than Brentford.
“In Brentford every one of us we made mistakes and we were wrong in the game. Me as the first always but for us, the number 10 and especially when the opponent defend man-to-man, we need the striker to keep the ball, defend the ball and give us the time to go up, but Solanke is another very important player.”
Solanke must raise his level to become Spurs’ first-choice striker
Despite Spurs being in the market for another forward, De Zerbi has made it clear that Solanke is part of his plans.
However, if the Englishman is to be the first-choice forward, his performances in a Tottenham shirt simply have to improve.
Solanke has been posting below-par numbers in the last two seasons for Spurs. In fact, Tottenham’s number one forward target, Omar Marmoush, has put up better numbers in the Premier League despite having played several games fewer.
| Player | Premier League appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Omar Marmoush | 37 | 10 | 5 |
| Dominic Solanke | 42 | 12 | 3 |
| Richarlison | 47 | 15 | 5 |