Overall, Dominic Solanke had another rough game for Tottenham Hotspur in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United, messing up two amazing chances to score in the first half while continuing to do way less than expected in helping the wingers and midfielders score goals themselves. Solanke has been a pretty major transfer bust since his 65 million pound move from Bournemouth, and aside from a smattering of decent performances on European nights, he hasn't made much of an impact.
But Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes in him. He believes in him so much that he started him again over blockbuster summer signing Omar Marmoush against Manchester United, and he stuck with him, never subbing him out against the Red Devils despite the earlier misses. And not only that, but De Zerbi made him the captain despite Solanke not actually being one of the top five captains in the squad.
The end result was that Solanke swallowed the earlier misses and came up with the headed goods in the 92nd minute to equalize when Spurs needed him most. And De Zerbi will hope that this goal galvanizes Solanke to score more next week on Monday Night Football against a suddenly surging Coventry side that just put four up on Newcastle United.
Dominic Solanke is running out of chances from Roberto De Zerbi
James Maddison will presumably finally be back in the starting 11 for Tottenham Hotspur against his childhood club of Coventry after a dislocated shoulder on Matchday 1 slowed his recovery from a 2024/25 season ACL tear that he had still not fully come back from - Madders has not started a single match for Spurs since then.
After watching Conor Gallagher waste more great situations and struggle creatively despite an awesome work rate for the team, Spurs are desperate to have Maddison back. And Roberto De Zerbi will hope that Maddison's return as a true playmaker and solution at the 10 can help Solanke both in terms of getting clear chances through the middle to score but also more support and someone to play off of and assist; Maddison is arguably just as good of a goal threat as a he is a creator over the years in the Premier League.
But all of that means that with James Maddison fully fit and ready to start, Dominic Solanke has to deliver. Because if he doesn't, not even a manager who loves him in De Zerbi can justify starting him continually when Mathys Tel and Omar Marmoush could potentially step in for him in the striker position. Maddison is a final shot for Solanke to take what he did late against Manchester United and prove he is the ultimate solution for Spurs at the 9.
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