Is Laurent Depoitre a Good Fit at Striker for Tottenham?

Could Tottenham benefit with another striker despite having Son Heung-Min, Nacer Chadli and Clinton N’Jie?

So far this season, Tottenham have managed to do well with only one out-and-out striker in Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, Nacer Chadli and Clinton N’Jie filling in when needed. Another striker isn’t necessary, or rather, it’s less of an issue now than it was before when Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado were on their way out.

If Tottenham are able to sign an extra striker to add more depth and even more rotation, it wouldn’t be so bad. And one name who seems to be reappearing and who could be a target in the summer is Laurent Depoitre of Gent.

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There is a very good scouting report on Laurent Depoitre by Bleacher Report’s Thomas Cooper and how the Belgian striker could fit in with Tottenham — aside from joining his four compatriots already on the team.

Near the end of the story, Thomas Cooper points out something that could be a sign as to which striker Mauricio Pochettino is looking for. And based on who Spurs signed in the summer, Son and N’Jie, it’s not too far off the mark (emphasis in bold).

"Indeed, there are shades of Harry Kane in his [Laurent Depoitre] movement, deceptive quickness and strength holding off opponents outside of the penalty area. His assured touch harnessing passes further facilitate an independence that makes him able to deliver in solo advances and faster-pace attacks.Head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his staff would have to consider whether they want another forward with such target-man qualities. Spurs’ pursuit of West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino last summer suggested they were in the market for someone offering a different style to Kane."

Another clear indication of looking for players who play differently than Harry Kane was the near-signing of Moussa Dembélé of Fulham, before a loan-back clause hampered the deal and negotiations eventually broke down.

All four players mentioned right now: Son Heung-Min, Clinton N’Jie, Saido Berahino and Moussa Dembélé all fit a certain type of mold. A change-of-pace striker if you will. Someone who isn’t tall, strong on the ball and good at holding play up.

Instead, Son, N’Jie, Berahino and Dembélé are the types of strikers who use pace and technique to get past their defenders before eventually scoring goals or setting others up instead.

But the biggest indication of why Pochettino sought these strikers though is that they’re capable of playing elsewhere in the Argentine manager’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Which helps when Harry Kane isn’t starting a game and is resting.

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Take Son Heung-Min for example. The South Korean international can play as a lone striker but was better suited as a winger during his time with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

Upon his arrival to the Premier League, he settled into Tottenham’s attacking midfielder position until a foot injury forced him to miss some time and eventually transition to a jack-of-all-trades role.

Where the 23-year-old now lines up across all three attacking midfield spots as well as striker when being brought in as a substitute or as a starter.

At 6’3″, Depoitre’s size alone and the ability to basically be another Harry Kane would be perfect. Because if Kane goes down with an injury (a broken nose doesn’t count), then having someone who’s identical is ideal.

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Now whether Pochettino thinks it’s worth it to have two of the same type of players at the striker position playing alongside one another or not is the only question right now. The price itself, which Bleacher Report has reported as £12 million is doable. And with the Belgian international rejecting a contract extension by Gent in December, it points to him leaving the Belgian club for a different club.

Incorporating Laurent Depoitre into the team at 26-years-old will take some convincing on the Belgian’s part. Because he could either be a backup to Harry Kane or start alongside him in a 4-4-2 formation. But because Tottenham have been looking for shifty and flexible strikers (position-wise) then Depoitre isn’t the right kind of player, let alone a lock to be signed in the summer.