Tottenhamai??i??s Striking Department has been below par over the last two seasons. The new academy graduate as well as one of the following five players may help Spurs to gain the coveted top 4 finish.
From Sheringham and Klinsman to Defoe and Keane, Tottenham have always boasted of a threatening striking partnership amongst their ranks. However, in the last two season the Spurs striking department is but a shade of its former days. A Togolese who is often criticised for playing only when in need of a contract and a Spaniard who is as comfortable in the league as walrus in a straight jacket make up the current Tottenham attack. With Harry Kane yet to find his first start in the Premier League (which may come in the Aston Villa game), Tottenham really need a scoring striker if they wish to compete against the top clubs in the Premier League.
Hurrikane
Harry Kane, the Tottenham academy graduate came into light first when Interim Manager Tim Sherwood began to put his trust on youngster from the academy. Bringing to light the likes of Nabil Bentaleb and Steven Caulker, Sherwood introduced to the senior team a slick English striker with a keen eye for goal in the form of Harry Kane. His continuous games and goals immediately got him a fan following at the Lane. This season Kane has been in blistering form; however, that form is yet to be witnessed in the Premier League as all of his performances and eight goals have been in the Europa league or the League Cup.
It is high time the manager thinks of Harry Kane ahead of Adebayor and Soldado as their lack of goals will only send the club lower in the Premier League table. Both Adebayor and Soldado have shown they are definitely not strikers who can play alone. Adebayor has the tendency to play with his back to the goal. His height allows him to knock down all balls and his ability to shield makes him a good keeper of the ball. However coupled with his need to come deep and play as an extra midfielder at times leaves the Spurs lacking a striker for him to pass too. Soldado is a poacher, a striker who relies on delivering when everything is handed to him on a platter. He is more a gourmet chef rather than an army cook. With no ability to create chances on his own, one of the reasons Soldado has failed to make an impact is the fact that he has no strike partner who does the work for him so that he may poke the ball into the back of the net. The two strikers Tottenham possess are men of the traditional 4-4-2 formation. However with that formation phasing out to a more flexible 4-2-3-1, teams with two strikers and 4 midfielders struggle to cope with the extra man in midfield.
Tottenhamai??i??s only solution then would be to get a striker or two who are comfortable to play alone and fit into their style of playing. Here is a list of 5 players who would be wonderful in the North London outfit, even though some of them may never be considered as potential targets or would choose not to move.
- Romelu Lukaku ai??i?? The 21 year old Belgian had been on Tottehamai??i??s radar last season. However a steep asking price as
Lukaku a perfect fit for Spurs well as his interest to join the club where he did well the previous season (Everton) has prevented him from coming to Tottenham. A strong and powerful forward such as him will be an asset to the Tottenham side as his ability to shrug off defenders and drive forward on his own will be useful. A prolific goal scorer, Lukaku will be a definite asset and help realise the clubai??i??s dreams to make it to the top 4. The fact that three of his Belgian team mates ( Vertonghen, Dembele and Chadli) plying their trade in North London might further entice the striker. However with a new 5 year contract signed with Everton, it seems a distant dream.
- Wilfred Bony – Ai??Ai??The Ivorian currently plies his trade at Swansea and has formed a lethal partnership with former spurs midfielder Gilfi Sigurdsson. Bony often seen scaring defenders with his thunderous thighs and immense strength is not only an aerially strong player but also an accomplished dribbler with a powerful right foot. A player who thrives in solitude, Bony would be perfect for the Tottenham set up with all kinds of through balls and crosses thrown at him from the midfield. His stamina will aid the pressing game Pochettino wishes to implement at Tottenham and will be a great target to consider.
- Christian Benteke ai??i?? The second Belgian to make it to the list is a striker who has been on the Tottenham radar for quite a while. The 23 year old missed the world cup after suffering from a heel injury. He has just returned to playing for Aston Villa and will look to get back to scoring ways. The striker is known for his composed ball control and his areal abilities and much like Lukaku and Bony, will largely benefit from the versatile Tottenham midfeld. The Belgian factor is an added bonus for him to move. However he sometimes is injury prone and paying large sums of money for a player who might be side lined quiet often is not something a manger would want. However, Benteke remains a possible replacement for Tottenhamai??i??s number 9 position.
- Klaas Jan Huntlaar ai??i?? The dutch veteran who is currently at Schalke is rumoured to be available at a throw away price of 3 million pounds. He has expressed his desire to play in the Premier League and his scoring record is one that any striker would be proud of. However at 31, there would be issues regarding his fitness in a league that is a lot more physical. However his experience would be a good addition coupled with the fact that as an older player he might not demand regular games and hence can be switched occasionally for the youngster Kane.
- Mattai Destro ai??i?? The Roma striker has been linked to Tottenham and has been priced at 20 million. However with Champions League football and his club being one of the top contenders for the Serie A title it would seem foolish for him to move away to a club thatai??i??s doing neither in its league. However last season Spurs managed to do the same with Erik Lamela and so Levyai??i??s scheme where he can exchange him for Soldado, a player who has been linked with a move to Italy could come in handy.
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