Tottenham’s issues in attack are becoming impossible to overlook. While Dominic Solanke is drawing flak for his lack of end product, another situation may be causing Roberto De Zerbi even bigger headaches.
Spurs have gone scoreless through their opening four Premier League games — a dismal record made more glaring by back-to-back clean sheets that show the defense has turned a corner while the attack hasn’t. The numbers back this up: Tottenham’s expected-goals tally of just 3.4 ranks among the league’s three worst, and their seven big chances created leaves them 16th in that category.
The eventual returns of Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison should add creativity and quality in midfield. But creativity won’t fix everything — Spurs need someone who can reliably convert chances, and that puts Solanke under the spotlight.
Solanke’s form hasn’t recovered
There was optimism when Solanke came back from injury to score against Charlton — a much-needed lift after a humbling 3-0 loss at Brentford in which Richarlison barely featured. But he hasn’t built on it. Across appearances versus Newcastle, Forest, and Everton, he’s shown little going forward, managing just 21 minutes combined in the first two before starting against Everton.
That start didn’t go well either. Solanke played 63 minutes but touched the ball only 20 times — fewer than anyone else who started the match — completed just 12 passes, and failed to record a shot, key pass, dribble, or cross. He won only one of eight duels, lost the ball eight times, and picked up two fouls. His top speed of 27.7 km/h was also the lowest of any starter, underlining how little threat he posed in behind, as a link player, or in front of goal — a troubling sign for the lone striker of a team yet to score in the league.
Still, Solanke might not be Tottenham’s most pressing problem.
Richarlison: the real dilemma
Richarlison has become something of an afterthought since his £60 million move in 2022, despite the hype that surrounded it. His time at the club has been a rollercoaster: three goals and three assists in year one, a stronger 12 goals and four assists in 2023/24, a disappointing five goals and two assists the following season, then a bounce-back campaign last season with 12 goals and five assists — enough to make him Tottenham’s top scorer as the club narrowly avoided relegation trouble.
Despite those numbers, his output has never been consistent, and fan frustration has lingered. That came to a head recently. Three pre-season goals had suggested he might work his way back into De Zerbi’s plans, but a poor showing in the Brentford defeat — no shots, just 17 touches — seems to have changed that. He hasn’t played since, and matters worsened when he was left off Tottenham’s Premier League squad list altogether, meaning a well-paid, high-profile forward currently can’t even be selected in the league.
A transfer that fell through
Spurs reportedly had a chance to resolve this before the window closed. A potential Everton return didn’t happen, and talks over a move to Turkey also stalled. Richarlison, entering the final year of his contract, is said to want an early exit, but talks between his camp and the club haven’t gone anywhere — and Tottenham aren’t willing to simply release him. As it stands, he could remain sidelined at the club without playing a single league minute until January, a costly headache no tactical tweak can fix.
Solanke could be next
Ironically, Solanke risks ending up in a similar spot if his form doesn’t turn around. Spurs have spent big on their attack, yet four games in, they’re still searching for a first league goal. Savinho and Marmoush are expected to grow into key roles, and Maddison and Kudus should add creativity once fit — but the club also needs its established forwards to deliver.
Solanke has a chance to show he can be the finisher Tottenham need. If he doesn’t, De Zerbi may soon face another tough call — and with Richarlison already frozen out, the pressure on Tottenham’s forwards keeps mounting. De Zerbi’s biggest challenge may not be finding a goalscorer at all, but working out what to do with the expensive attackers he already has.
