Tottenham Hotspur has once again proven to be both an exhilarating and inconsistent team this season. Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, the squad has delivered some standout performances, such as their commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United and an impressive 4-1 win against Aston Villa.
However, this success has been marred by unexpected losses to teams like Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town and a complete collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite these challenges, Tottenham fans have reasons for optimism, especially with the promising form of summer signing Dominic Solanke, though intriguingly, a former Tottenham loanee is currently outscoring him.
Dominic Solanke arrived at Spurs from Bournemouth for a club-record fee of £65 million, carrying high expectations following his prolific season with the Cherries, where he netted 21 goals and added four assists.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury in the season’s opening match delayed his debut, causing anticipation among the fans to build even more. After a couple of underwhelming showings against Arsenal and Coventry City, Solanke began to find his rhythm.
He notched his first goal of the season against Brentford in mid-September and followed that with three more goals and an assist over the next six league games.
Solanke has also made his mark in European competition, scoring twice in the Europa League, with goals against Qarabağ FK and in last week’s fixture. His tally for Tottenham stands at six goals and two assists across 15 appearances, resulting in a goal involvement every 1.87 games—a strong start for the 27-year-old striker.
However, despite Solanke’s contributions, he is currently being outpaced by an unexpected name: Gedson Fernandes, a former Spurs loanee who was brought to North London under José Mourinho.
In January 2020, Fernandes joined Tottenham on an 18-month loan from Benfica with considerable fanfare. Despite being only 21, he had already logged 59 senior appearances for Benfica and contributed to a league title victory.
Fans were eager to see the young midfielder’s potential, but Fernandes struggled to make an impact. Over the course of his time with Tottenham, he managed just 447 minutes on the pitch across 14 appearances, with ten of those as a substitute. Ultimately, he returned to Benfica, unable to secure a regular place in Mourinho’s rotation.
Following his stint at Tottenham, Fernandes spent time on loan with Galatasaray and Caykur Rizespor before sealing a permanent move to Turkish powerhouse Besiktas in 2022.
Last season, he played a crucial role for Besiktas, making 45 appearances across all competitions, contributing three goals and six assists. This year, however, the São Tomé-born midfielder has exceeded expectations.
In just 18 appearances for Besiktas, Fernandes has scored seven goals and provided two assists, putting him slightly ahead of Solanke’s goal tally despite playing in a midfield role. It’s an impressive achievement and a positive turnaround for the 25-year-old, who struggled to find his footing at Tottenham but now seems to have found a home in Turkey.
When comparing the numbers, Solanke and Fernandes have both made significant impacts in their respective leagues. Solanke has six goals and two assists in 15 appearances for Tottenham, giving him an average of 0.53 goal involvements per game.
Fernandes, on the other hand, has tallied seven goals and two assists in 18 appearances for Besiktas, with an average of 0.50 goal involvements per game. While Fernandes has slightly more goals, Solanke edges him out in terms of overall goal involvement per game, albeit narrowly.
Nevertheless, Fernandes’ goal-scoring from a central midfield position is commendable and speaks to his development since leaving Spurs.
Looking at Solanke’s early days at Tottenham, it’s evident the club has high hopes for his long-term contributions, especially given the investment they made.
However, the resurgence of Fernandes, once dismissed as not being up to Premier League standards, adds an interesting subplot. Tottenham made the right call in allowing Fernandes to pursue opportunities elsewhere, and his growth at Besiktas is a reminder of how players can find success when placed in the right environment.
For Spurs fans, it’s encouraging to see their current star Solanke on the rise, while the success of a former loanee like Fernandes offers a reminder of the unpredictable journeys football careers can take.
As Solanke continues to build his form in the Premier League, Tottenham supporters will be watching closely to see if he can sustain his goal-scoring momentum.
In the meantime, Fernandes’ progress at Besiktas stands as a testament to resilience, demonstrating that even after a challenging experience in England, a player can thrive with persistence and the right conditions.
For Tottenham, both Solanke’s impact and Fernandes’ success story underscore the value of giving players time to adapt and find their stride, whether it’s within the Premier League or beyond.
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