Tottenham Hotspur’s acquisition of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth potentially could be transformative both for the club and the player himself . After two previous stints with English football’s “big six” clubs, Solanke now has another opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage, with Spurs betting on his potential to lead their attack and fill the void left by Harry Kane. As the club’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, looks to implement his high energy, dynamic and thrilling tactical approach, the big question is: Whether Solanke fit into this system?

Solanke’s move to Spurs, worth up to £65 million, has raised eyebrows, especially considering this is his first Premier League season where he has scored more than 10 goals. Last season, Solanke found the back of the net 19 times, making him the fourth top scorer in the Premier League—a remarkable feat for a player on a bottom-half team. While some question whether Solanke is worth the hefty price tag, it’s clear that Spurs see him as a critical piece in their attacking puzzle.

Ange Postecoglou is renowned for his high-energy, attacking football, often referred to as “Ange-ball.” His approach is heavily reliant on fluid movement, intense pressing, and a quick transition from defense to attack. Postecoglou’s system demands a striker who is not just a goal-scorer but also a hard worker off the ball—someone who can press, hold up play, and bring others into the game. Solanke’s performance last season suggests he could be the perfect fit.

Postecoglou’s preferred formation is a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, with a central striker who leads the press and initiates attacks. Solanke’s ability to press high and win back possession in the final third aligns perfectly with this philosophy. Last season, Solanke led the Premier League in pressures (1,242), including 703 in the final third, resulting in 142 turnovers. This work rate is crucial for a team like Spurs, who press intensely to force mistakes and capitalize on them. Moreover, Solanke’s ability to drop deeper and link up with the midfield will be invaluable. In Postecoglou’s system, the striker often needs to connect play and create opportunities for wingers and attacking midfielders. With his experience at Bournemouth, where he often played deeper to help in counter-attacks, Solanke is well-suited to this role.

While Solanke’s off-the-ball contributions are vital, his primary role at Spurs will still be to score goals. Last season, Spurs underperformed their expected goals (xG) by 4.15, highlighting a need for a more clinical finisher. Solanke’s 19 goals were achieved with an xG of 19.6, showing that he converted the chances he was expected to, and rarely went more than three games without scoring. This consistency could be a game-changer for Spurs, who struggled to fill the void left by Harry Kane.

Ange’s 4-3-3 formation with Solanke at Spurs

Dominic Solanke’s move to Spurs is not without its risks, but under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance, he has the potential to thrive. His hard work, pressing ability, and goal-scoring knack make him an ideal fit for Postecoglou’s high-octane style. While his price tag might raise questions, his attributes suggest that he could be the missing piece in Tottenham’s attacking jigsaw, leading them to greater heights in the coming seasons.