0 dribbles, 9 duels lost: Spurs 4/10 ace was very bad as Solanke against Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League campaign got off to an underwhelming start with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City. After an exciting preseason filled with promising signings and strong performances, Spurs fans were expecting a victorious start. Instead, the North London club faltered, allowing Leicester City to snatch a point in a game that should have been wrapped up by halftime.

In the first half, Tottenham displayed the kind of attacking football that new manager Ange Postecoglou has been keen to implement. They looked sharp, created multiple chances, and seemed poised to secure a comfortable victory. However, their inability to convert those chances into goals proved costly. Despite their dominance, Spurs went into the break with only a one-goal lead, courtesy of Pedro Porro’s header.

Leicester City, led by the ever-reliable Jamie Vardy, punished Tottenham’s wastefulness in the second half. Vardy’s equalizer in the 57th minute was a sucker punch that Spurs never fully recovered from. It was a frustrating moment for Tottenham fans, who saw their team’s hard work undone by a single lapse in concentration.

Much of the post-match analysis centered around Tottenham’s new £65 million signing, Dominic Solanke. The former Bournemouth striker was expected to make an immediate impact, but his debut was far from impressive. Solanke was given 99 minutes to make his mark, but he failed to deliver in front of goal.

Solanke’s Performance by the Numbers

Despite taking three shots on target and generating an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.36, Solanke failed to find the back of the net. His performance was marred by missed opportunities and a lack of clinical finishing, which led to a harsh but fair assessment by Express journalist Amos Murphy, who rated Solanke’s debut a disappointing 4/10.

Another player who faced criticism after the match was left-back Destiny Udogie. Like Solanke, Udogie had moments where he showed promise, particularly in the first half. However, his performance deteriorated as the game progressed, especially when tasked with defending against Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

Udogie’s inability to contain Issahaku was highlighted by the fact that it was his cross that led to Vardy’s equalizer. The young Italian struggled defensively, giving up too much space and failing to impose himself on the game.

Udogie’s Performance by the Numbers

Udogie’s stats paint a bleak picture: he was dribbled past once, won only 5 of his 14 duels, failed to complete any of his two attempted crosses, and lost possession 13 times. These numbers, coupled with his failure to complete a single dribble and his four fouls, earned him a similarly low rating of 4/10 from Murphy.

While it’s easy to point fingers at individual performances, the broader issue for Tottenham lies in their inability to finish off games. This was a problem last season, and it has already reared its head in the new campaign. The lack of a clinical edge in front of goal is a concern that Postecoglou must address if Spurs are to compete for a top-four finish this season.

Moreover, the defensive lapses that allowed Leicester back into the game must be rectified. Romero’s failure to mark Vardy for the equalizer and Udogie’s struggles on the left are areas that need improvement. The season is long, but these issues need to be ironed out quickly if Tottenham are to avoid further setbacks.

Despite the disappointing result, there is still plenty of time for Tottenham to bounce back. The Premier League season is a marathon, not a sprint, and one draw does not define a campaign. However, the early signs suggest that Spurs have work to do if they are to challenge the league’s elite.

For now, Postecoglou and his squad must focus on improving their finishing and tightening up defensively. New signings like Solanke and Udogie will need time to settle in, but they will also need to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether Tottenham can put this early setback behind them and start building momentum.

In conclusion, Tottenham’s opening day draw against Leicester City was not the start fans were hoping for. Missed chances and defensive lapses cost them two points, and the performances of new signings like Solanke and Udogie left much to be desired. However, with the season still in its infancy, there is plenty of time for Spurs to regroup and get their campaign back on track.

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