Dominic Solanke, the 26-year-old forward, is hoping that his move to Tottenham Hotspur from Bournemouth will be his chance to prove himself on the biggest stage. Despite struggling to make an impact at Chelsea and Liverpool in his early career, Solanke’s impressive performance last season, where he scored 19 goals for Bournemouth, established him as one of the Premier League’s top scorers.
Solanke’s move to Spurs, which could be worth up to £65m, was met with mixed views regarding his price tag. While some argue that his 19 goals last season were an underperformance compared to his non-penalty expected goals (xG), others believe that he is one of the best players in his position who is available on the market.
The move to Tottenham will see Solanke playing in the Europa League, providing him with a chance to add to his solitary England cap. His goal-scoring abilities were questioned in the past, but his impressive stats from last season, including ranking fourth in the Premier League for xG, third for shots, and sixth for touches in the opposition box, suggest that he is a good fit for Tottenham’s intense pressing game.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou believes that Solanke’s running ability, pressing skills, and goal output make him the perfect fit for his system. Postecoglou also emphasizes that he doesn’t solely rely on Solanke to score goals, as his style of play encourages contributions from players all over the pitch.
Despite Solanke’s impressive campaign last season, there are still questions about his value. Football Transfers estimates his worth to be £33.1m but acknowledges that his English nationality and the lack of alternative striking options have contributed to his higher price tag.
Overall, Solanke’s move to Tottenham provides him with another opportunity to prove himself at one of the Premier League’s top clubs. His performance last season suggests that he has the potential to make a significant impact and contribute to Tottenham’s goal-scoring efforts. Whether he lives up to his price tag remains to be seen, but his addition to the team brings a new dynamic to their attacking options.