Ange wants it done: Spurs pushing to sign £60m CF who’s “like Harry Kane” – opinion
A year ago, Tottenham Hotspur fans were bracing themselves for a major change. Their beloved striker Harry Kane, who had become the club’s all-time top scorer, was rumored to be on his way out.
Despite the arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou, Kane decided to seek new challenges, leaving Spurs for Bayern Munich in a blockbuster £86 million deal by mid-August. His departure, while expected, marked the end of an era in North London.
Kane’s exit had a significant impact on both Tottenham and Bayern Munich. Spurs missed out on Champions League football, while Bayern also went trophyless.
Despite this, Kane’s individual performance was nothing short of phenomenal, netting 44 goals in 45 matches for the German giants. This stellar display underlined his status as one of the best strikers in world football.
With Kane gone, Tottenham’s hierarchy, including Johan Lange, has been actively searching for a suitable replacement. The club has been linked with several high-profile strikers, with Santiago Gimenez of PSV Eindhoven and Brentford’s Ivan Toney being the most notable names. Recently, Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke has also emerged as a potential target.
Football Insider reports that Tottenham are keeping a close watch on Dominic Solanke, the Bournemouth striker, as they seek to sign an ‘A-list’ number 9.
Manager Ange Postecoglou is pushing for the club to finalize a deal soon, though they face stiff competition from West Ham and Chelsea. Solanke’s estimated transfer fee is around £60 million, reflecting his growing reputation.
Comparing Solanke directly to Kane might seem ambitious, given Solanke’s modest goal tally of 29 goals in 134 Premier League games.
However, deeper analysis suggests potential. At 26, Solanke is entering his prime and has shown significant improvement each season. His 2023/24 campaign was his best yet, scoring 19 goals and finishing fourth in the Premier League scoring charts, only behind top talents like Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland.
Charlie Daniels, a former Bournemouth player, highlighted the similarities between Solanke and Kane, noting that Solanke combines the roles of a No. 9 and a No. 10, much like Kane.
Solanke’s ability to stretch defenses, hold up play, and his intelligence on the field mirror Kane’s playing style. Daniels emphasized that while Kane is a more natural finisher, Solanke’s overall game is remarkably similar.
| Key similarities: Solanke vs Kane (2023/24) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90 mins) | Solanke | Kane |
| Goals per shot | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Pass success % | 73.5% | 71.4% |
| Key passes | 1.06 | 0.98 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.14 | 2.63 |
| Tackles won | 0.30 | 0.29 |
| Touches | 29 | 31.6 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.06 | 0.76 |
| Carries | 16.2 | 20.1 |
| Progressive carries | 1.41 | 1.14 |
| Stats via FBRef. | ||
Data from the 2023/24 season supports these observations. Solanke excels in progressive carries, often moving the ball towards the opponent’s goal or into the penalty area.
He also outperformed Kane in key passes, indicating his playmaking ability. Both players have a comparable number of touches, tackles, and pass completion rates, showcasing their all-around game.
Solanke’s style of play, which involves holding up the ball and bringing teammates into play, could be particularly beneficial for Postecoglou’s system.
With dynamic attackers like Heung-min Son and Brennan Johnson making runs beyond the focal point, Solanke could thrive in Tottenham’s counter-attacking setup.
Tottenham’s quest to replace Harry Kane is a challenging task, but Dominic Solanke presents a promising option. While he may not yet have the prolific scoring record of Kane, Solanke’s overall game and recent form suggest he could be a valuable addition to Spurs.
His ability to play both as a traditional striker and a playmaker aligns well with Postecoglou’s tactical approach. As Tottenham continues to rebuild and strengthen their squad, the potential signing of Solanke could mark an important step in their journey to return to the top tier of English and European football.
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