Tottenham made wholesale changes to their squad this summer as they bought in the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon, and Jack Clarke, while selling several fringe players who were deemed surplus to requirements.
Among the players who departed was striker Fernando Llorente, who saw his contract with the club expire in the summer.
It was claimed that Spurs offered the Spaniard a one-year extension on reduced terms in the summer (Evening Standard). However, the 34-year-old instead decided to return to the Seria A, with Napoli.
Llorente has made a great start to life in Naples, having scored thrice in three appearances for the club. The former Spurs man struck against Liverpool in midweek to consign the Reds to their first defeat of the season.
He then scored a brace against Lecce on Sunday to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men all three points. Some Spurs fans on social media questioned the club’s logic in letting Llorente leave without signing a replacement.
Fernando #Llorente absolutley killing it in Serie A. #THFC should have held onto him. Brings a different dynamic to game. Even more so when you need a plan B which #Spurs dont have anymore
— Richie Bradford (@Richie___B) September 23, 2019
Just Saying:Many of us felt this guy was getting good late last season,was available & cheap (Levy likes that)asked weresign him.Apparently we know nothing:"Fernando Llorente scored a brace as Napoli bested Lecce 4-1. He also scored vs. L'Pool in the CL opening round last week."
— cliff kobland (@drcliffk) September 23, 2019
@SpursOfficial Tottenham very own Fernando Llorente is lighting up Napoli #nap
— Woodside_Chris (@ChrisHudson07) September 22, 2019
Miss you ❤️
— Lucas ?? (@Pocheffect) September 22, 2019
Llorente scoring twice for Napoli ?! Maybe we were too quick to get rid of him. We seem to have no plan b!
— Daniel Barker (@danielbarker7) September 22, 2019
Spurs losing with a whimper and having no Plan B, then Llorente scores for the second game in a row pic.twitter.com/nJbdDPgic0
— Ryan (@RY27EPHEN) September 22, 2019
Games like this you need Llorente. We have no plan B up front.
— ???? (@corleone_leon) September 21, 2019
Bring him back ?
— All Out Tottenham (@AlloutTottenham) September 22, 2019
Bad move letting him go
— T (@TusIbrahim) September 23, 2019
34. Slow as shit, mobility of a donkey.
But ALWAYS in the right place at the right time and causes danger. Llorente’s still got goals in him. https://t.co/SDiXYacn36
— Cenk (@ForzaYids) September 22, 2019
So weird that last season we all wanted Trippier and Llorente gone but they’re now thriving at other teams
— le baron (@ynderstand) September 22, 2019
Given the lack of other signings, Llorente’s loss has been a big issue.
His aerial presence allowed to us to move to a distinctive Plan B, which has been lacking this season when a change has been needed.
— Not on my Poch (@NotSoSpursy) September 22, 2019
Spurs Web Opinion
It could be that Tottenham were keen on retaining Llorente for another season but he decided to move elsewhere in search of more first-team football. There is no doubt that his performances towards the end of last season were certainly deserving of a new contract. Hopefully, Llorente’s sale will help young Troy Parrot get a few chances for the first team this term.