If Tottenham are to do any business in the coming January transfer window, it will surely be to improve the quality of their strike-force.
Only five Spurs players have actually got on the score sheet in the Premier League this season, and with senior front-men Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado netting just twice between them, it appears Mauricio Pochettino will be depending on 21-year-old striker Harry Kane – who bagged a last-minute winner against Aston Villa last weekend – for the foreseeable future.
A clear glass ceiling between the Lilywhites and the other top six contenders, the north London outfit need to strengthen in the new year.
And just in case Pochettino and Daniel Levy are short on a few ideas, here’s FIVE front-men Tottenham should be targeting.
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SAIDO BERAHINO
Should Saido Berahino’s goal-scoring run continue, it won’t be long before a top Premier League club throws an eight-figure sum West Bromwich Albion’s way.
Indeed, the 5 foot 11 poacher has netted seven times this season, averaging a goal every 128 minutes, making him the Premier League’s top-scoring Englishman:
That includes this cool finish amid a 2-2 draw with Manchester United last month:
Spurs’ strike-force currently lacks a penetrating threat that can challenge the space behind defenders. Quick, mobile and tricky on the ball, Berahino could be the perfect remedy, whilst his ability to press from the front will particularly strike a chord with Mauricio Pochettino. Having already netted past Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in his short Premier League career, in addition to amassing a sensational return of 10 in 13 for the England U21s, Berahino looks like the real deal. Here’s a clip of him in action this season: //www.youtube.com/embed/ekoqgSNzuY8?rel=0 But one of the rare few youthful, home-grown goal-scorers in the top flight, the 21 year-old has already been linked with some rather ridiculous price-tags:
Expected inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s next England squad could see that valuation further increase:
WILFRIED BONY
Mauricio Pochettino clearly favours his big-n-burley, old-fashioned centre-forwards, having relied integrally on Rickie Lambert at Southampton and preferring the lanky Emmanuel Adebayor this season, over the less physically-gifted Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane. Swansea striker Wilfried Bony fits that mould perfectly, aggressively asserting his powerful 6 foot frame to wreak havoc in the Premier League over the last 18 months. Indeed, he boasts a return of 20 goals in 44 Premiership appearances since arriving in south Wales last summer, on the back of 37 goals in his final 36 Eredivisie appearances at Vitesse Arnhem. That includes 16 goals and four assists for the Swans last term, which are viewable below: //www.youtube.com/embed/L_zt5akDKGs In addition to firepower, the 25 year-old far outshone Spurs’ strike-force in terms of hold-up play last season, as detailed below:
Spurs were strongly linked to the Ivory Coast international during the summer:
And may feel compelled to revive their interest in January after Bony’s impressive start to the season – including this spectacular goal against Leicester City:
The front-man’s contract includes a £19million release clause, but speculation this morning claims he’s on the verge of signing a new deal:
MAX KRUSE
Another potential January target that shares some important characteristics with former Pochettino favourite Rickie Lambert is Borussia Monchengladbach’s Max Kruse.
Much like the England international, he began his career as an attacking midfielder, which has transformed him into an unusual, playmaking centre-forward – famed for his link-up play and prolific chance creation:
He boasts a healthy supply of goals too, with 28 in 74 Bundesliga outings – in addition to 17 assists – since moving to the German top flight from St. Pauli in summer 2012. That includes a return of six in five this season, with this eloquent finish against Hannover particularly standing out: Here’s a look at Kruse’s vitals this season:
The 26 year-old has come close to a Premier League move before, predominantly attracting attention from Liverpool and Manchester United. How highly Gladbach value their striker in fiscal terms remains to be seen, but originally sourced for a miserly €2.5million, a sizeable profit on that sum could convince the German outfit to sell.
PACO ALCACER
After a stunning start to the La Liga season, Valencia starlet Paco Alcacer has already been linked with a January move to White Hart Lane:
The 21-year-old has been nothing short of potent over the last 18 months, as detailed below:
And that impressive output in the final third has seen Alcacer rise to the forefront of the Spanish national team – he’s claimed four caps since his debut in August, netting three goals. Here’s a look at the 5 foot 11 striker in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RCKK3deKD2w?rel=0
Fernando Torres-esque dare I say? Bearing no particular defining strength but an impressive all-round game.
Most appealingly, the Spain international’s current contract includes a £14.5million release clause, earning him the moniker amongst the Spanish press as ‘the bargain of Europe’. And, rather interestingly, he’s just told the media he’s in ‘no hurry’ to pen new terms, despite the Mestalla outfit’s plans to bump up his buy-out fee:
That could force Valencia to surrender Alcacer in January, but Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked to the striker:
JAY RODRIGUEZ
Tottenham allegedly launched an ill-fated £14million bid for Jay Rodriguez on summer deadline day:
And with Mauricio Pochettino clearly seeking an ally in attack, it’s claimed the Lilywhites could revive their interest in the Southampton star ahead of January:
The 25-year-old was in impeccable form last season, as shown below, and had it not been for an ACL injury in April, would probably have made it into England’s World Cup squad:
Here’s a look at the England forward’s highlights from last term:
//www.youtube.com/embed/e3adfleiWiE?rel=0
That 15-goal tally last season came from the left prong of Southampton’s attack. But Rodriguez was considered an out-and-out striker during his Burnley days – amassing 41 goals in 128 appearances at Turf Moor – and measuring in at 6 foot 1, certainly has the frame for it.
The Saints issued a public hands-off warning during the offseason to curtail their infamous summer exodus. But currently excelling in Rodriguez’ injury absence as they hold second position in the Premier League, Southampton may be prepared to let the powerful striker leave in the new year.
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