Solanke's Struggles Raise Concerns at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur and their supporters have seen some relief after recent Premier League results, but the season’s opening was rough. Without European fixtures to juggle, many expected Roberto De Zerbi to steer Spurs up the league table following back-to-back 17th-place finishes. Yet, after five matches, the team sat at the bottom, collecting only two points from a possible fifteen and scoring just twice.

Things have improved since a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa at home last month. Spurs earned a late 1-1 draw against Manchester United away, then secured back-to-back wins over Coventry City and Chelsea, both by two goals. This revival seems to signal a turning point, and De Zerbi hopes to extend this momentum when Tottenham hosts Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Tottenham’s Premier League Record 2026-27

Matches: 8
Wins: 2
Draws: 3
Losses: 3
Win Percentage: 25%
Goals Scored: 8
Goals Conceded: 10

De Zerbi, now 47, appears closer to settling on his preferred starting lineup. The returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski bolster options, although Maddison may face another injury after the Chelsea game.

The biggest dilemma has been the centre-forward role. Richarlison is out of favor, while Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke have only recently netted their first Premier League goals this season. Solanke, who joined from Bournemouth for £65 million in 2024, continues to underwhelm.

Solanke’s Place in Tottenham’s Plans

Richarlison started over Solanke on the season opener at Brentford, with Solanke’s first Premier League start arriving later in a goalless draw versus Everton on September 12. His performances remained underwhelming through that match and the one against Villa, yet De Zerbi surprisingly made him captain during the match at Old Trafford.

Solanke scored the equalizer against Manchester United but overall had a frustrating night in front of goal. After playing the full match against Coventry without scoring, he began the Chelsea game on the bench, due partly to fatigue and partly tactical choices.

"He felt fatigue after the Coventry game. But also because I am lucky to have a big squad, many solutions, many different solutions in terms of characteristics and physical characteristics," De Zerbi said. "I took this decision but the game is 90 minutes."

Fatigue five days post-match raises eyebrows. Tottenham have struggled to rely consistently on their £65 million forward.

Solanke’s Tottenham Stats So Far

Appearances: 75
Goals: 24
Assists: 9

If Spurs want to climb higher under De Zerbi in the coming seasons, they need a more reliable centre-forward than Richarlison or Solanke. Marmoush does not seem to fit that role either.

Ndombele was once Tottenham’s record signing and showed promise early but faded quickly, becoming an unreliable figure despite the investment. Solanke appears to be following a similar path given his price tag and inconsistent contributions. Like Ndombele, he has talent but struggles to deliver regularly, leaving fans doubtful about his impact. Spurs might be better served by seeking an upgrade in that position.