Tottenham Hotspur made headlines this summer when they finally secured a replacement for Harry Kane, bringing in Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth. With high expectations surrounding his arrival, Solanke was seen as the striker to fill the massive void left by Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich. However, his start at Tottenham has been somewhat underwhelming.
ln his debut match, Solanke failed to find the back of the net, missing several clear chances. To add to the frustration, he has missed Spurs’ last two Premier League games due to injury. As the pressure mounts, football pundits and fans alike are questioning whether Solanke was the right choice to lead Tottenham’s attack.
Troy Deeney, a well-known figure in English football, weighed in on the debate during the Seaman Says Podcast. Deeney didn’t hold back in his assessment, suggesting that Tottenham should have opted for Ivan Toney instead of Solanke. According to Deeney, Toney, who was available for a reported £40 million this summer, would have been a much better fit for Tottenham’s attacking needs.
Deeney’s Take: Toney Over Solanke
Troy Deeney’s argument in favor of Ivan Toney centers around his belief that the former Brentford striker is a more natural goalscorer compared to Solanke. Deeney’s comments reflect the growing sentiment that Tottenham may have missed an opportunity by not signing Toney, especially given the struggles Solanke has faced early in his Spurs career.
“Ivan Toney was available, let’s use him as a case in point,” Deeney said on the podcast. “Would he add value to Chelsea? Yes, he would score more than Nicolas Jackson. In my opinion, he would score more than Solanke at Spurs. Everyone is looking for that mobile, running striker, the goalscoring comes like fifth in the list of attributes.”
Deeney’s point raises an interesting debate about the qualities needed in a modern striker. While Solanke may have the work rate, mobility, and technical ability to fit into Ange Postecoglou’s system at Spurs, Deeney believes that Toney’s superior goal-scoring instincts should have been prioritized.
A Statistical Comparison: Toney vs Solanke
The debate over whether Ivan Toney would have been a better signing than Dominic Solanke is certainly intriguing. When looking at the numbers from the past season, the comparison between the two strikers becomes even more compelling.
Ivan Toney had a turbulent 2023/24 season, missing the majority of it due to a suspension for breaching betting regulations. Despite this, Toney managed to score four goals in 17 appearances before his suspension. However, it’s worth noting that Toney had previously hit the 20-goal mark in the Premier League, a testament to his goal-scoring prowess.
On the other hand, Dominic Solanke enjoyed a more prolific campaign with Bournemouth. The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker found the net 19 times, showcasing his ability to be a reliable goal threat. Based on these numbers alone, Solanke appears to have been the more productive striker over the past 12 months.
However, Toney’s suspension and limited game time should be taken into account when evaluating their respective performances. There’s little doubt that Toney is a proven Premier League striker, and had he not been sidelined for most of last season, his goal tally might have been much higher.
Peter Crouch’s Praise for Solanke
While Troy Deeney may believe that Ivan Toney would have been the better option, Dominic Solanke has received praise from other notable figures in the football world. Peter Crouch, the former England and Tottenham striker, has gone as far as to name Solanke as his “signing of the summer.”
Crouch’s endorsement is significant, as it reflects the belief that Solanke’s qualities as a forward—beyond just his goal-scoring abilities—make him a valuable addition to Spurs. Solanke’s work rate, link-up play, and ability to press from the front align well with the high-tempo, attacking football that Ange Postecoglou has implemented at Tottenham.
Toney’s Move to Saudi Arabia
Unfortunately for fans eager to compare the two strikers directly, that opportunity may have slipped away. Ivan Toney, who had been linked with a move to various Premier League clubs, opted for a big-money transfer to Saudi Arabia. The move to the Saudi Pro League means that Toney will no longer be competing in the Premier League, at least for the foreseeable future.
Toney’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia has certainly raised eyebrows, as the league continues to attract top talents from Europe with lucrative contracts. While the move may have secured Toney financial stability, it has taken him out of the conversation when it comes to comparing his performances to those of Solanke in the Premier League.
Solanke’s Role at Tottenham: A Slow Start but Room for Growth
Despite his slow start at Tottenham, it’s still early days for Dominic Solanke at the club. Adjusting to a new team, manager, and system can take time, and the 26-year-old forward has shown in the past that he is capable of scoring goals when given the right opportunities.
Ange Postecoglou’s attacking system, which emphasizes quick transitions, pressing, and fluid movement, could play to Solanke’s strengths once he fully adapts to his new surroundings. While Solanke may not have hit the ground running, there’s no reason to believe he won’t become a valuable asset for Spurs as the season progresses.
Injuries have also played a part in Solanke’s slow start, with the striker missing the last two Premier League games due to a knock. Once he regains full fitness and settles into the team, Solanke will have the chance to prove his doubters wrong and establish himself as Tottenham’s leading man up front.
England Call-Ups: Toney or Solanke?
One interesting aspect of this debate is how both strikers are viewed in the context of the England national team. Ivan Toney has already made his mark with the Three Lions, featuring in international fixtures and even scoring for England in a penalty shootout during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final.
Solanke, on the other hand, has yet to break into the England setup, but his strong form for Bournemouth last season had many calling for him to be given a chance. Now that he’s playing at a higher level with Tottenham, Solanke could be on the radar of England manager Gareth Southgate, especially if he finds his scoring touch in the coming months.
With Toney now playing in Saudi Arabia, there’s an open question about whether England will continue to select him, given the lower level of competition in the Saudi Pro League. If Solanke can perform well for Tottenham, he may edge ahead of Toney in the race for a spot in the national team squad.
A Debate That Will Continue
Troy Deeney’s assertion that Ivan Toney would have been a better signing than Dominic Solanke for Tottenham is an opinion shared by many who admire Toney’s goal-scoring instincts. However, the numbers from last season suggest that Solanke may be the more consistent performer, at least in recent times.
Ultimately, it’s still too early to make a definitive judgment on whether Tottenham made the right decision in signing Solanke over Toney. Solanke has time to prove his worth at Spurs, and his performances over the course of the season will determine whether he can fill the massive shoes left by Harry Kane.
For now, the comparison between Toney and Solanke remains an interesting debate, but with Toney moving to Saudi Arabia, the focus will shift to Solanke’s ability to lead Tottenham’s attack in the Premier League. If he can rise to the challenge, Solanke could yet prove to be a smart signing for Spurs.