As Tottenham Hotspur push for their first win of the 2026/27 Premier League season, Roberto De Zerbi has some decisions to ponder in the attack after Spurs failed to score in three Premier League matches to start the season, even though they were able to find the back of the net a whopping five times in their opening League Cup fixture against Charlton Athletic.
Second division or not, what Spurs did to Charlton was mighty impressive, and it is not lost on many Tottenham fans that the under fire Dominic Solanke led the line in that game and played a crucial role in a couple of goals, setting the table very nicely for the wingers. And he did this after Richarlison's horrible game against Brentford to open the 2026/27 Premier League season, and it can't be a coincidence that this set the table for De Zerbi to formally push Richarlison out of the squad.
Now, Solanke has not started since, as Omar Marmoush has been integrated into the squad as the starting center forward almost immediately after his loan signing from Manchester City was finalized. But the Italian manager is dropping hints that he values Solanke.
Dominic Solanke could start for Tottenham soon
Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League matchup against Everton, Roberto De Zerbi revealed that Dominic Solanke is not yet 100 percent but will be soon, leaving the door open for him to start in the coming games, including in the next League Cup match against Big Dom's old employers Liverpool.
De Zerbi told reporters, via The Spurs Watch, “I think he is close. He’s a crucial player for us, Dom Solanke. For the characteristic, personality, level of the player. He’s very close after two times on the bench, Newcastle and Nottingham, he could start the game, or Tuesday, he can start the game.”
Since Day One, De Zerbi has always said that he values Solanke, but he did not get a chance to work with him since Solanke got reinjured not long after his return under the Italian manager. And now, with Richarlison not even registered in the squad, the Spurs manager will get his chance to utilize Solanke soon, and it sounds like he is itching to actually start him.
That opportunity could be coming soon, especially if De Zerbi comes to the realization that Omar Marmoush isn't the right fit up top. De Zerbi has plans for Solanke, and this quote is a hint of a bigger role to come.
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