Tottenhama s misfiring striker Roberto Soldado is on the verge of putting an end to his miserable two year spell with the London club as he closes in on finalizing his move to Spanish side Villarreal CF.
The former Spanish international signed for Spurs in 2013 from Valencia for a fee of A?26 million. Since Harry Kane spectacularly burst onto the scene in the middle of last season, the 30-year-old has moved further down the White Hart Lane pecking order.
Frustration in front of Goal
Roberto Soldadoa s struggles in front of goal for Spurs have been well documented over the past two seasons. A product of Real Madrida s youth system, Soldado signed for Spurs on the back of a prolific goal scoring season for Valencia in 2012-13, netting 30 times in 46 matches. However, ever since his arrival on English shores, he has failed to make a real impact for Spurs in front of goal. He has scored a measly 7 goals in 52 League matches for the club during his two year stay at White Hart Lane.
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Criticism
Soldado has come under intense criticism from several pundits and experts in England as a result of his lacklustre displays for Spurs. According to former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, Soldado a doesna t make anywhere near enough runs. Ia m not sure he wants to become alive until the ball reaches the 18-yard boxa .
Some such as former Tottenham owner Lord Sugar even went as far as calling the Spaniard a a donkeya for his inept display against Dnipro in the Europa League in February, 2014.
Soldado agrees personal terms with Villarreal
According to a report in Spanish paper Marca, Soldado has agreed personal terms with Villarreal, although a transfer fee still remains to be agreed between the two clubs.
Soldado says yes to Villarreal http://t.co/CTdvHMzeka pic.twitter.com/0bybG4GCZs
a MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) August 1, 2015
Soldado will certainly be hoping for a change in fortune as his impending return to Spain gets closer to reality. With the departure of the attacking trio of Luciano Vietto, Giovani dos Santos and Ikechukwu Uche in the summer, the Yellow Submarine are looking to reinforce their offensive ranks.
Villarreal manager will certainly be hoping that Soldado is able to recapture the same goal scoring touch that saw him score a remarkable 80 goals in 146 appearances for Valencia. Soldadoa s arrival at EL Madrigal might just be his last opportunity to restore his reputation as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe.