Tottenham Hotspur’s recent goalless draw against Monaco in the Champions League once again highlighted a growing concern within Thomas Frank’s side.
Despite controlling spells of the game, Spurs lacked the cutting edge in the final third that separates good teams from great ones. Monaco created more clear-cut chances five in total compared to Tottenham’s one forcing Guglielmo Vicario to pull off eight crucial saves to prevent what could have been a disappointing defeat.
The Italian goalkeeper’s heroics saved the day, but the underlying issue remains: Tottenham are struggling to score goals.
Under Frank’s guidance, the North London club has built a solid structure and defensive stability, yet the lack of attacking potency is becoming impossible to ignore. In the Premier League this season, Spurs do not even rank among the top ten clubs for big chances created.
According to Sofascore, they sit 15th in the league in that category, with only 13 big chances produced so far a stark contrast to free-flowing sides like Manchester City and Liverpool. That shortfall underlines a serious creative and finishing problem at the top end of the pitch.
When a team of Tottenham’s ambition finds itself struggling to generate consistent goal-scoring opportunities, it’s a sign that the frontline isn’t functioning as it should.
The problem isn’t just about creating chances it’s also about taking them. The club’s current attacking options, led by Richarlison, Mathys Tel, and Dominic Solanke, haven’t delivered the consistent quality required to push Spurs into elite territory.
Solanke, who joined the club as a major signing and brought high expectations after a strong spell at Bournemouth, remains the best natural striker in the current squad.
His numbers from last season nine goals and three assists in 27 Premier League appearances show he’s capable of contributing regularly. However, his finishing has at times lacked the sharpness needed to win tight matches.
Richarlison, though energetic and hard-working, has not found his rhythm either, managing just eight goals in 37 games across all competitions since last season. Tel, talented but raw, still needs time and experience to mature into a reliable first-team striker.
With Solanke recovering from an ankle injury and Richarlison yet to prove himself as a consistent scorer, Tottenham’s recruitment team is already planning ahead. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spurs are one of several top European clubs ready to make a move for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.
The 25-year-old Serbian forward has been linked with a January transfer, with Juventus willing to sell for around £22 million as his contract nears its expiration in 2026.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also monitoring his situation, but Tottenham, led by sporting director Fabio Paratici, are eager to steal a march on their Premier League rivals.
Vlahović represents the kind of striker Spurs have been missing since the departure of Harry Kane. A player with physical dominance, technical skill, and an instinctive eye for goal, he has proven himself in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
Last season, he scored 17 goals in all competitions for Juventus, including ten in Serie A, despite an inconsistent campaign for his club.
His record speaks volumes in 21 league starts, he averaged a goal every 180 minutes, outperforming Solanke’s 245-minute ratio in the Premier League.
Beyond his finishing, Vlahović brings a complete skill set. His ability to hold up play, bring others into the game, and dominate in aerial duels makes him a “monster” forward, as journalist Carlo Garganese once described him.
He also provides creative contributions, registering four assists last season and winning nearly half of his aerial duels an impressive return for a player who faces top defenders week in, week out.
Comparing career finishing stats paints an even clearer picture. According to UnderStat, Solanke has scored 38 goals from 52.23 expected goals (xG) across his Premier League career, suggesting a below-average finishing rate.
Vlahović, by contrast, has scored 89 goals from 90.73 xG during his time with Fiorentina and Juventus, showing elite efficiency in front of goal. That kind of clinical edge could transform Tottenham’s attack.
Frank’s Spurs have defensive resilience and tactical discipline, but what they lack is a forward who can win games single-handedly.
Someone who converts half-chances into goals and lifts the team when momentum fades. Vlahović could be that player. He’s powerful, technically gifted, and experienced enough to handle the demands of English football.
His arrival would also ease the burden on Richarlison and allow Solanke to rotate rather than shoulder the full responsibility of leading the line every week.
Tottenham have ambitions to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite, but to do so, they must start scoring more goals. If they can convince Vlahović to choose North London over Manchester or West London, it could be one of the smartest investments of the January transfer window.
A £22 million deal for a proven international striker with years ahead of him in his prime would represent incredible value in today’s market.
Vlahović has already shown he can perform under pressure in Serie A and the Champions League, and he would arrive at Spurs ready to make an immediate impact.
For Frank, securing the Serbian forward could be the difference between another season of inconsistency and one that truly launches Tottenham back into contention.
With his power, precision, and poise, Dušan Vlahović could be the missing piece in Spurs’ attacking puzzle an upgrade on Solanke and a forward capable of turning Spurs from hopefuls into genuine contenders.
