Tottenham Hotspur delivered one of their standout performances of the season with an emphatic 4-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night, despite being reduced to ten men.
It was a night that showcased both the attacking fluidity and resilience Thomas Frank’s men are capable of producing when everything clicks. Spurs created eight big chances during the game, marking their most prolific offensive display of the campaign so far.
Among the highlights was Micky van de Ven’s sensational solo effort, running from one box to the other before coolly finishing to score his sixth goal of the season.
The defender’s remarkable strike not only sealed the victory but also made him Tottenham’s top scorer across all competitions a rare feat for a centre-back.
Randal Kolo Muani, leading the line as the team’s number nine, didn’t find the back of the net but contributed an assist for Wilson Odobert’s goal, showing his importance in link-up play even without scoring himself.
However, the PSG loanee has now gone seven games without a goal for Spurs, having missed three big chances in that stretch, according to Sofascore.
The question now is whether he can hold onto his starting position once Dominic Solanke returns from injury. The England international has been sidelined since August with an ankle issue but is expected to return before the end of November.
Solanke faces tough competition from both Richarlison and Kolo Muani, and he will need to deliver far better performances than last season if he hopes to cement his place in the lineup.
Tottenham made Solanke their record signing in the summer of 2024, paying a massive £65 million to secure his services from Bournemouth.
However, his performances have yet to justify the price tag. Across 45 appearances in all competitions last season, he scored 16 goals, which was a respectable tally overall—but his Premier League form fell short of expectations.
Here’s a look at his key Premier League stats from the 2024/25 season:
| Category | Dominic Solanke (2024/25 Premier League) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 27 |
| Starts | 25 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 10.97 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Big Chances Missed | 12 |
| Minutes per Goal | 245 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 1.15 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Source: Sofascore |
As the table shows, Solanke underperformed his xG by two goals and missed more big chances than he converted. For a striker in his prime at 27, averaging one goal every 245 minutes is well below what’s expected from a player who cost £65 million.
Reports suggest that Thomas Frank has been unimpressed with both his output and his injury record, raising doubts about Solanke’s long-term future at the club.
Tottenham, however, have a potential game-changer waiting in the wings. Highly rated 18-year-old Mason Melia will officially join the club from St. Patrick’s Athletic when the January transfer window opens.
The Irish striker, already boasting nearly 100 senior appearances, could offer a fresh dynamic to Spurs’ forward line.
Below are Mason Melia’s 2025 season stats:
| Category | Mason Melia (2025 Premier Division) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 35 |
| Starts | 29 |
| Goals | 13 |
| Minutes per Goal | 199 |
| Conversion Rate | 15% |
| Big Chances Created | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Source: Sofascore |
Melia’s impressive record of a goal every 199 minutes in Ireland surpasses Solanke’s output in the Premier League last season. Described as “relentless” and a “hidden gem” by football analyst Ben Mattinson, the teenager has demonstrated maturity and composure well beyond his age.
His consistent goal-scoring and creativity make him a strong candidate for first-team involvement once he arrives in North London.
Frank’s decision in January will be crucial. If Melia can adapt quickly and show promise in training, Spurs could opt to phase out Solanke and rely on their youthful attacking options Kolo Muani, Richarlison, and the talented Irishman.
Given Solanke’s disappointing performances and Frank’s apparent dissatisfaction, his time at Tottenham may be running out faster than expected.
The January window could therefore signal a changing of the guard in Tottenham’s forward department, with Mason Melia’s arrival potentially spelling the end for Dominic Solanke’s North London chapter.
