Tottenham Hotspur’s new striker, Dominic Solanke, has experienced a challenging start since his high-profile transfer from Bournemouth.
Former Aston Villa forward and talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has weighed in on how the 27-year-old can overcome these early struggles.
Solanke joined Spurs last month on a six-year contract for a club-record fee of £55 million, with the potential for an additional £10 million in bonuses.
Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Solanke has yet to make a significant impact, failing to register a goal or assist in his first few appearances, including two Premier League starts and a Carabao Cup outing against Coventry City.
Agbonlahor, discussing on talkSPORT, highlighted that Solanke may be feeling the weight of expectation that comes with playing for a top club like Tottenham.
The pundit urged the forward to regain his confidence and focus on the qualities that made him so successful at Bournemouth, where he netted 21 goals in 41 appearances last season. (Transfermarkt)
According to Agbonlahor, Solanke needs to be more assertive, aggressive, and actively involved in the attacking third, traits that made him a formidable presence in the Premier League.
The former England player believes that the pressure of adapting to life at Spurs is affecting Solanke, but he remains confident that the striker can thrive once he finds the back of the net.
Agbonlahor remarked:
“You know with Solanke, Solanke has just got to like, have a chat with the manager and just calm down.”
“He looks like he’s… the shirt’s too big for him at the moment.
“Just remember what you did last season for Bournemouth, you were outstanding, think about the things you were doing last season.
“The big advice I’d give him is that you’re a top player and there’s a reason why you were bought for big money.
“At Bournemouth he was a menace, he was bullying defenders and putting his body in the way. Just don’t think to yourself that you are at a bigger club now at Spurs that the pressure is on.
“He just needs that first goal now. Ange needs to keep playing him.”
With manager Ange Postecoglou maintaining faith in Solanke, the upcoming match against Brentford presents a key opportunity for the forward to turn his form around.
Tottenham supporters are hopeful that Solanke can replicate his Bournemouth success and justify his big-money move to North London.