Critics of Ange-ball pilloried Spurs’ predictable, if maniacal, style of play. Anyone, and sometimes everyone, was encouraged to go forward to get on the end of low crosses into the box. Brennan Johnson thrived in that role, particularly at the far post. But it wasn’t uncommon to see Cristian Romero taking up positions traditionally occupied by strikers, Destiny Udogie bombing through the left channel toward goal, or Pedro Porro playing a similar role to David Beckham.
The drawbacks of Ange’s blitzkrieg-style attack were obvious and well-documented. The Aussie’s tactical philosophy not only left Spurs’ vulnerable to counter-attacks, it turned what should have been a stalwart defensive unit into one of the most porous in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank is a far more pragmatic tactician than Ange Postecoglou. But if the Dane’s first three preseason matches as Spurs manager provide us with a glimpse of the future, he’ll need to find a solution to a problem the Aussie encountered last season.
Spurs are in dire need of a striker with a different profile than Dominic Solanke or Richarlison. The former is a talented hold-up man with a tireless work rate and a penchant for scoring scrappy goals. Richarlison has similar attributes, even though he doesn’t perform any of those skills quite as proficiently as the former Bournemouth number nine. While both are serviceable Premier League center forwards, neither is capable of creating their own shot nor striking fear into opposing defenses.
There are great options in France and Germany
While Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have already signed new strikers, there are a number of others still on the market who can add a different dimension to Spurs’ front line and dramatically improve their attacking options.
Daniel Levy would be wise to start with a trip to France, where he could to attempt to pry Randall Kolo Muani or Gonçalo Ramos away from PSG. Both are reportedly on the chopping block and each would cost less than Tottenham paid for Solanke or Richarlison. If those options didn’t work out, he could target cheaper, less established alternatives like Nice’s Evann Guessand or Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo.
There is also a triumvirate of strikers currently plying their trade in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League, although reports suggest Newcastle are considering him as a replacement for Alexander Isak, should the Swede leave for Liverpool. Similarly, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško also seems destined to land in the Premier League, with Manchester United expressing the most interest. Spurs could also target his strike partner Loïs Openda, despite his significant drop in form last season.
Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović is another in-demand striker looking for a new club, having fallen out of Igor Tudor’s plans. The transfer fee would be around half of what I Bianconeri paid for him in 2022, although he’s expected to demand a hefty salary. Levy could try to swing a deal closer to home and bring Christopher Nkunku, another striker who has been deemed surplus to requirements, to North London. Like Vlahović, he is available for a fraction of the price Chelsea paid for him. But he, too, would likely command a record-breaking wage.
Perhaps less realistic than some of the other options, Spurs could try to convince Porto’s Samu Omorodion or Real Madrid’s Rodrygo to leave the Iberian Peninsula. Both would immediately challenge Dominic Solanke for his starting role, but neither would be cheap. And there is little indication that either of them would be willing to leave their respective clubs to join Thomas Frank’s project in N17.