Why Dominic Solanke is struggling to find his feet at Tottenham

Tottenham’s summer signing, Dominic Solanke, has quickly become a topic of conversation, with many fans and pundits wondering whether the striker is being used to his full potential.

After his £65 million move from Bournemouth, Solanke has yet to find the back of the net for Spurs, which has left some concerned about his impact. However, according to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, the focus on Solanke’s lack of goals might be missing the bigger picture.

Solanke arrived at Spurs with high expectations following an impressive season for Bournemouth, where he scored 21 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. His ability to consistently find the back of the net was one of the reasons Tottenham brought him in to bolster their attacking options. Yet, with the team currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, having earned just four points from their first four matches, Solanke’s lack of goals has become a talking point.

Why Dominic Solanke is struggling to find his feet at Tottenham

Ian Wright, speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, believes that Solanke’s contribution to the team goes beyond just his goals. Wright praised the striker’s ability to hold up play, link with teammates, and run the channels, all of which could provide Tottenham with a more dynamic attacking strategy.

Wright’s main concern is that Spurs might be placing too much emphasis on Solanke as a goal-scorer, rather than allowing him to play a broader role within the team’s structure:

"What I think with Dominic Solanke is that he’s done the work. He’s left Chelsea, went to Liverpool, then Bournemouth, and we’ve seen what he’s capable of. His link-up play, hold-up play, and running channels are very good. He could give Spurs a different option."

Wright reckons Tottenham should focus on making the most of Solanke's other qualities, which would ease the pressure on him to score. Letting him play with more freedom, without being solely relied upon for goals, could see Solanke put in stronger performances overall and create more natural chances to find the back of the net.

Tottenham fans are keen to see their new signing start finding the net, but it’s important to remember that the team is still adapting to Ange Postecoglou’s system. Solanke’s skills as a target man could provide Spurs with more attacking options, potentially opening up space for players like Son Heung-min and James Maddison to shine.