Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has come to the defense of striker Dominic Solanke, who has faced some early criticism after joining Spurs from Bournemouth. Solanke, 27, has appeared in only three matches since making the move in August, and is yet to open his goal-scoring account for the club.
Solanke’s campaign has been hindered by an ankle injury suffered during his debut, limiting his playing time early on. Since recovering, he has started Premier League matches against Leicester City and Arsenal, along with a Carabao Cup appearance against Coventry City.
Despite the slow start, Postecoglou believes it is too early to pass judgment on the £65 million forward. Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Brentford, the manager expressed frustration with how quickly conclusions are drawn about a player’s performance, particularly one who has only featured in a limited number of games.
“The guy has barely completed two full matches for us. If he had played 15 games without making an impact, then sure, we could have a discussion,” Postecoglou said when asked about Solanke’s price tag and the expectations tied to it. “But right now, it’s just too soon. Take a moment, breathe, and think about the bigger picture before making any assessment.”
Postecoglou pointed out that Solanke’s injury has naturally affected his start at the club, but he remains optimistic about the forward’s future contributions. “He’s integrated really well with the squad, and while the injury disrupted his rhythm, there’s plenty of time for him to make an impact.”
Postecoglou was keen to emphasize the importance of avoiding knee-jerk reactions, explaining that even if Solanke had started his Spurs career in flying form, there would still be challenges ahead. “If he’d hit the ground running, scored in every game so far, there would still come a time when, like any striker, he might go through a dry spell,” the coach noted.
The Australian manager also expressed confidence in Solanke’s ability to find his footing as the season progresses. “What matters to me is how well he’s settled into the team, not just whether or not he’s scored early on. He’s had a tough start with the injury, but there’s no rush to judge,” Postecoglou added.
As Tottenham prepares for their upcoming fixture, Solanke will be looking to shake off any lingering doubts and make his mark, while Postecoglou remains focused on giving his new striker the time and support he needs to succeed.
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