Dominic Solanke makes immediate impact at Tottenham after injury.
Tottenham faces several challenges that need attention in the coming months. The ongoing injury issues have complicated matters for the team, making it hard for Thomas Frank to get the best from his players. However, the return of Dominic Solanke to full fitness is a positive sign for the squad after a significant absence.
Solanke had initially been sidelined with an ankle injury, which was expected to keep him out for just the first few matches of the season. Unfortunately, multiple setbacks during his recovery resulted in him being absent for the entire first half of the season, causing frustration for both him and the fans eager for his return.
Solanke’s return to the pitch comes at a crucial time for Tottenham. Richarlison, the team’s leading scorer, recently suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup match against Aston Villa. Solanke took his place in the starting lineup, making his first appearance in five months.
Thomas Frank praises Dominic Solanke
Tottenham fans understand the value Solanke brings when fit. His timely comeback is significant for the squad, which was lacking a center-forward after Richarlison’s injury. Solanke has already made an impact, netting two goals in his last three games.
Thomas Frank has praised Solanke and looks forward to working closely with him for the remainder of the season. In his pre-match press conference, Frank stated,
“I’ve always liked Dom, and I’ve followed him for many years in England. Last season at Bournemouth, he was exceptional, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League. He faced some bad luck with injuries after joining Spurs. His previous season was disrupted, but he still managed to score a good number of goals and showed his threat.”
The Spurs manager added,
“He was a player I had high hopes for when I joined the club. I’m confident he will score many goals for us. He possesses all the necessary qualities, aligned with my coaching principles and the type of number nines I usually develop. It feels a bit like a new signing, and I believe he will improve in the coming weeks.”
Frank acknowledged that Solanke’s recent struggles with fitness have been unfortunate. Still, he trusts in the striker’s abilities, having observed him during his time with Bournemouth. Frank sees Solanke’s return as akin to acquiring a new player, believing he can become a key goal scorer for Tottenham, similar to his success with Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa at Brentford.
Now, the focus is on Solanke to regain his best form as the season progresses. He still has a chance to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer. To do so, Solanke must get regular game time and consistently score goals for Tottenham in the upcoming months, which will be crucial to realize his dream of representing his country at the World Cup.