Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Tottenham Hotspur are having an incredibly difficult time this season when it comes to scoring goals, and Roberto De Zerbi quickly needs to find a way to solve that problem.
Spurs are yet to score a single goal in their four Premier League games, leaving them 17th in the Premier League table with just two points, following consecutive 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton in their most recent games.
In the EFL Cup they found the net five times against Championship outfit Charlton, and now they return to that competition to take on Liverpool at Anfield, and will be desperate to find their goalscoring touch once again.
De Zerbi has already confirmed that he is planning to make wholesale changes for the game, with a number of players in need of some minutes to help get them to top condition to help the squad.
One player who is likely to feature is striker Dominic Solanke, and the Italian boss has now backed the Englishman to eventually rediscover the form that saw him notch 16 goals in his debut campaign following a £65m move from Bournemouth in 2024.
"I can't understand why I have to think negatively. OK, because last season he was injured many times, yes," De Zerbi explained.
"It's not the same last season [compared to] this season. This season, we have top physical and medical staff. We don't have three games per week.
"I spoke with him and I would like to manage him in the best way I can, in the physical aspect and in the mental aspect, because he's a sensitive guy. He needs to feel full confidence, and from myself he has big, big confidence.
"I believe he can score 10-15 goals for sure. He's already scored at Bournemouth, so why can't he score at Tottenham? It's the same sport, different stadium, no pressure, because in our stadium, if we push, if we play well, the fans are with us."
A focal point in attack has been a necessity, with Omar Marmoush struggling massively to assert himself as a centre-forward, while Richarlison's situation has seen his legacy tarnished and his career at the club come to an end.
Now Solanke is being given the chance to establish himself as the first-choice option in a system that De Zerbi has designed to try and win as many games as possible by playing entertaining football.
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Solanke Can Be Key to Unlocking Tottenham
Dominic Solanke Tottenham Spurs
Solanke had his breakout season with Bournemouth in 2023/24 playing as a target man with plenty of pace around him, with his entire remit being to get on the end of things in the penalty area.
At Spurs he enjoyed a strong debut season, helping the team win the Europa League, but last season he had an incredibly difficult time with injuries and was restricted to just 20 appearances in all competitions, with only 11 starts in the Premier League.
After a summer of rest and recuperation, Solanke is now ready to push himself to become a regular starter under De Zerbi. But the manager must give him the keys to the attack to let him reach his best version, and that should start with unleashing him against Liverpool tonight.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi looks worried vs Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi looks worried vs Newcastle United