Paul Merson has no confidence in Tottenham’s current attacking options, as he believes Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke do not provide enough goals.
Tottenham have continued their winless start to the Premier League campaign, which has now stretched to six games. Spurs have struggled to adapt to Roberto De Zerbi’s methods while also accommodating their new arrivals, and although their system appears to be progressing, the results have not followed.
Incidentally, the weekend’s draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United was only the second game in which Tottenham have scored this season. Finding the net regularly has been a major problem for Spurs, despite their heavy investment in attacking players during the summer and previous transfer windows.
Omar Marmoush arrived on loan, with the deal potentially becoming permanent during the season, while Dominic Solanke has underperformed since last season. These are the two players currently being relied upon to score the goals, prompting Paul Merson to give a scathing assessment of Tottenham’s attacking duo.
Paul Merson wants to get rid of Spurs’ attacking duo
Merson does not believe Marmoush and Solanke are the answers to Tottenham’s goalscoring problems, as his comments on Sky Sports suggest that Spurs should replace them with more prominent names. Starting with Solanke, he had some strong words about the English striker.
Merson said, “Tottenham played well at Old Trafford. They dominated, but just don’t look like they’re scoring a goal at the moment. They did great with 10 men to come back and finally get an equaliser, which they deserved. The only thing they probably could have done with – and what they should have done – is they had to get a centre-forward.”
“They went out of their way for a few players, did a bit of this and that. I like Sandro Tonali, I’m a big fan of this. But they had to get a centre-forward. Dominic Solanke is better than alright. But he’s not yet an actual goalscorer. When Spurs robbed United of the ball in the first half, and he goes through on goal, you don’t sit there and go: ‘goal’. You just don’t.”
On Marmoush, Merson said “Omar Marmoush isn’t going to give you goals. And Omar Marmoush isn’t going to give you goals. He’ll get you a worldie here or there, but he’s not a goalscorer. They needed a goalscorer.”
“I can’t believe Spurs didn’t go for Nicolas Jackson. He’s decent. The problem with Spurs at the moment is that they’re not scoring. There’s never a wrong time to score – every time is the right time – but they’re failing to find the net when they’re on top.”
Solanke is expected to push for a stay at Spurs beyond the January transfer window and, judging by Merson’s comments, there is an argument to be made about his impact in front of goal. Tottenham are not planning to sell the English striker, meaning De Zerbi may have to continue placing his trust in him to improve.
As for Marmoush, the structure of his deal will likely ensure that he signs for Spurs on a permanent basis. Merson’s comments about him possibly not being the answer to Tottenham’s goalscoring problems may stem from his performances since moving to England with Manchester City.
Unless the attacking duo improve, Merson’s words could come back to haunt Tottenham, and the money invested in them could ultimately be wasted.
