How Should Tottenham Handle the Striker Position?

What can Tottenham do at the striker position for next season?

Mauricio Pochettino knows that he has one reliable striker on his squad — Harry Kane.

After handing the lone striker position to a 21-year-old Englishman at the time, Harry Kane (22) would reward Mauricio Pochettino with 31 goals in all competitions and score 21 league goals since becoming a starter in November 2014.

So with no viable options behind the starter and not many to choose from in the transfer window, where does Pochettino go to upgrade this glaring problem?

Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado are surely going to be sold. If Adebayor’s impending season-long loan deal to Aston Villa takes too long, it won’t give Spurs enough time to fully upgrade the position before August 8th leaving Soldado as a possible backup option once again. Javier Hernandez was a rumored target but the Argentine coach has since dismissed that rumor according to a report by ESPN FC:

"“About Javier Hernandez, those are rumours and nothing more. There is nothing concrete. He is a Manchester United player and logically a lot of names are getting suggested for Tottenham and Javier is just one more.”"

What’s left for Tottenham? Saido Berahino, Timo Werner and Shaq Coulthirst?

Let’s first discuss Saido Berahino and how he’ll affect Tottenham.

Saido Berahino checks off all the positives that Mauricio Pochettino is looking for in players: young, Premier League experience and has resale value. An added bonus would be playing multiple positions.

For Tottenham to sign the Burundi-born striker a good offer must be submitted. It’s being reported that Tottenham have offered £15 million but the Baggies should easily reject that. Even after signing Rickie Lambert from Liverpool, it’s doubtful that Saido Berahino leaves for Tottenham.

NEW SIGNING: We are delighted to announce the arrival of Rickie Lambert from Liverpool http://t.co/x5Q3ahsFJa pic.twitter.com/3BPywKxhpQ
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 31, 2015

When you add in Tottenham’s current summer transfers, no player has surpassed £12 million, with Toby Alderweireld being the closest. At most, Daniel Levy would only spend £15 million during this summer window.

Due to Saido Berahino’s current trajectory following his 2014-15 season, he should command double of Tottenham’s original offer making Levy balk at the price.

This would mean that Timo Werner could be the better option.

At 19-years-old, Werner is younger than both Saido Berahino and Harry Kane. But despite his young age and having no Premier League experience, the Telegraph is reporting that Stuttgart is looking for £8 million only.

If true, that’s already £7 million less than someone who’s already proven.

Money is a huge issue for Daniel Levy and if he could get Timo Werner at a cheaper price than Saido Berahino, it could actually happen. The only downfall would be bringing in the German international slowly like Mauricio Pochettino has done with DeAndre Yedlin lately.

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While not ideal, it’s the best option for now with time running out in the transfer window. Werner could play out wide like Berahino can and could be his first role in Mauricio Pochettino’s offense until the German international can settle in. If signed, it’s easy to see him play in cup competitions and the Europa League first.

One unlikely alternative could be promoting Shaq Coulthirst.

He was able to get some playing time against the MLS All-Stars, after subbing on for Harry Kane. It’s not enough to make him a possible backup option, but it is something to consider. Whatever Tottenham’s plans are moving forward, a likely scenario is loaning out Emmanuel Adebayor, keeping Roberto Soldado for now, sign Timo Werner and promote Shaq Coulthirst.

This gives Pochettino four strikers on the squad: a starter, an experienced veteran/backup, two future strikers and one of them is a youth academy graduate.

Next: Official: Tottenham Sell Vlad Chiriches

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