Former Dominic Solanke team mate has high expectations of Spurs striker
By Tom Vinall
In the summer, Tottenham Hotspur made Dominic Solanke their big signing of the window when they splashed north of £50 million pounds to AFC Bournemouth for his services.
It has generally been a good start for the striker, who has scored three goals, as well as providing an excellent assist for Brennan Johnson against Brighton and Hove Albion. His pressing and link-up on top have been very good and it has all accumulated with his first England call up for seven years, where he provided an assist against Greece at Wembley.
His former team mate, Shane Long, who broke Ledley King’s 18+ year record for fastest ever Premier League goal in 2019, however, thinks the 27-year old can get even better in a Spurs shirt. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Republic of Ireland striker said: “I like Dominic Solanke. I know he’s not really hit the ground running fully at Tottenham, but I’ve played with him at Bournemouth and I know how good he is, how good a goalscorer he is.”
No doubt that after just a couple of months in North London, there is more to come from Solanke. It goes without saying, really. Since the game at Coventry City, he has been absolutely superb, and deserved the national team call up. His progress at Spurs so far has been linear, and there is nothing to suggest that won’t continue to be the case, as he gets his feet under the table at the club.
Solanke was an unused substitute in England’s win over Greece in Helsinki on Sunday, meaning he only featured for around 20 minutes over the entire international break, giving him plenty of rest ahead of the intense schedule coming up for Ange Postecoglu’s side.
There is no doubt that he is the perfect fit for an Ange side with his pressing and link up play. Other players may be better goalscorers than Solanke (though he still got 19 in the league last season) but there are few that could offer what he does in and out of possession for Spurs.