You’re Tottenham Manager: Squad For 2014-15 Season – Strikers
By Logan Holmes
As Tottenham manager, now is the time to decide on the composition of the squad for the 2014-15 season. You have the opportunity to determine which strikers stay and who leaves.
We have now reached the final stage of our selection process having previously decided on the goalkeepers, full-backs, central defenders and midfield players. After yesterday’s over abundance of midfield players our options in the striker department are limited with only three strikers in the squad currently with Premier League experience.
Tottenham have had a shortage of options on strikers for some time. We can think back to when Martin Jol could rotate Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Mido but over the past couple of seasons, Spurs have walked a very fine line where an injury or two would have left them without any recognised strikers. While it was a close call at times, they managed to avoid any serious problems although lack of competition meant there were no options when players lost form.
With the departure of Defoe to Canada at the end of February, Spurs were left with Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane who made his first Premier League start at the end of the season. Shaq Coulthirst who made a brief debut appearance in the Europa League early last season and Ryan Mason will return from loan periods with Torquay United and Swindon Town respectively.
What does the future hold for the strikers at White Hart Lane?
Strikers
I have two years left on my contract
Emmanuel Adebayor:
having been given the cold shoulder by Andre Villas-Boas, Adebayor was reinstated by Tim Sherwood and had an immediate impact on the team with his goals proving vital to Spurs in the second half of the season. He finished the season as top goalscorer with 14 goals. The Togolese international says he has no plans to leave Spurs this summer but his future at Tottenham could depend on the financial situation surrounding his contract as Manchester City have been paying a proportion of his salary since his transfer in 2012. Spurs will now be responsible for that additional salary and if they decide they can’t afford such a financial commitment, then Adebayor could be on his way out.
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Roberto Soldado:
arrived with such an outstanding goalscoring record in Spain but obviously left his shooting boots there by mistake. What to do with Soldado is the question – give him another season or cut our loses and allow him to leave, presumably with a return to Spain. If he stays at Spurs, the new manager will need to set up the team in a way that will provide a service for the Spanish striker.
Harry Kane: with the departure of Jermain Defoe to Toronto, there was an opportunity for Harry Kane to become more involved. Although a prolific goalscorer though the Academy teams, he isn’t really an out and out striker, preferring to play from a deeper position and linking with the strikers. His three goals in the final games were a reward for his persistence and willingness to work hard in whatever position he was asked to play. A promising young player, still only 20 years of age, who has always been able to meet the challenge of playing at a higher level and he’s done it again this season when presented with the opportunity in the Premier League.
Shaq Coulthirst: the 20-year-old made his debut as a substitute against Anzhi Makhachkala in the final group game at White Hart Lane. He played for the final 12 minutes and in the second half of the season went out on loan with Leyton Orient and then Torquay United. An injury sustained n the final game for Torquay required surgery.
Ryan Mason: a player who has been badly hindered by injuries – he was outstanding through the Academy and Under-21 team but when given the opportunity on loan in recent seasons, has spent long periods on the sidelines. Has made brief appearance for the senior team in the Europa League and started a Cup game at Carlisle in 2012. Now 22 years of age, he spent last season on loan at Swindon Town.
Whatever decisions are made on the future of Adebayor, Soldado and Kane this summer, there will still need to be moves to sign an additional striker or two before the start of next season.
Decision Time: Who Stays, Who Goes?
You can decide which strikers stay and who goes. You can vote to keep as many of the strikers as you like – in fact you can keep them all if you wish.