Tottenham 2012-13 Squad Preview – Strikers

Tottenham’s squad for 2012-13 is decidedly unbalanced making Andre Villas-Boas task more difficult. Currently, Spurs have a glut of goalkeepers, droves of defenders, a multitude of midfield players but a scarcity of strikers. In the next fortnight Daniel Levy has some serious work to do in order to strengthen the squad by signing players for the positions in greatest need – striker, a creative midfield player and a goalkeeper. By nature of the fact that Tottenham have only two strikers available for selection as the opening match of the season approaches, this preview is going to be much briefer that those which considered the goalkeepers, defenders and the midfield.

Tottenham Squad – Strikers

Jermain Defoe set the record, in the final match against Fulham last season, for scoring the most goals in the Premier League as a substitute – twenty. That information tells much about the direction Defoe’s career has taken with Tottenham and for England. He has made over 225 Premier League appearances for Spurs and scored 79 goals. That figure contains 82 appearances as a substitute. Defoe is now seen as a player to bring on late in a game against tiring defenders. He needs to play in a strike partnership, to feed off someone who can hold up the ball and lay it off to him. The arrival of Van der Vaart at Spurs and the shift in formation to play with a second striker playing deeper has reduced the opportunities for Defoe. He has shown great patience and is now the only experienced striker at the club as the new season approaches. Unfortunately, Defoe is not suited to playing as the lone striker which is the role he is likely to have to fill against Newcastle on Saturday.

Last night, Defoe showed for England, what he does best – score goals – with a great strike to win the match against Italy. Yet, once again he was introduced as a second half substitute.

There have been rumours during the summer of other clubs expressing an interest in signing Defoe but any move would be dependent on Spurs signing a number of strikers in the next sixteen days. Defoe would not be averse to moving if he were to be guaranteed first team football. At 29 years of age, he doesn’t want to be spending his time sitting on the bench and making only occasional appearances – as he said himself at the end of last season –  he wants to be playing.

Giovani dos Santos could have been included in the review of the midfield as he can play either as striker or in midfielder. Giovani is two players in one – the exciting, enthusiastic goalscoring striker/midfielder who turns out for Mexico and the rather disinterested, ineffective player who makes the occasional foray onto the pitch for Tottenham. When reading or watching his performances for his country, the question which immediately springs to mind is – Why can’t he do that for Spurs?

At the London Olympics Giovani was Mexico’s leading goalscorer after the semi-finals, a match where he was taken off with a knee injury which prevented him from playing in the Final against Brazil. This injury may prevent him from being included in Villas-Boas’ squad for the opening match but he may not have been included as the coach has not had an opportunity to work with him or assess his ability to fit into the system Villas-Boas is looking to operate with Spurs. This is very much a last chance for Giovani at White Hart Lane where he has been the ‘Forgotten Man’, it’s only his performances for Mexico which bring him back to everyone’s attention.

Harry Kane has made rapid progress through the Academy teams where he was a prolific goal scorer which brought him to the attention of supporters. He is also a hard working player who can drop into midfield to collect the ball and move forward into attack. He is only 19 years of age but has had League experience with Leyton Orient and Millwall while also playing in the Europa League for Tottenham. Villas-Boas has spoken highly of Harry Kane after his contribution on the preseason tour in America. He lacks pace but has great strength and stamina and is eager to learn. He will surely make his Premier League debut at some point this season, another stage in his development and experience.

New Signings

Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to rejoin the club from Manchester City at some time before the end of the month but on a permanent deal rather than on loan. He was last season’s leading scorer with 17 goals and 11 assists. He settled in quickly last year and the hope will be that he will be able to do the same again this time.

Leandro has been a long time target for Spurs but with every impressive performance for Brazil, either at Olympic or full international level, his club are expecting Tottenham to increase their offer. With this situation, a deal might be concluded but it could just as easily run out of time.

Other players have been mentioned in the media but as always happens at this time of the year – everyone knows that Tottenham need a striker so every striker becomes a target whether imaginary or real. Only time will tell who will be leading the Tottenham attack come the home match against Norwich City or more likely in the first game following the international break.