Roberto De Zerbi remains a big admirer of Dominic Solanke, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, despite Tottenham’s struggles in front of goal this season.
Spurs have been linked with a number of strikers ahead of the January transfer window, but Jacobs believes the club will be reluctant to rush into a deal unless the right player becomes available.
That could leave Tottenham facing a difficult decision, with Solanke and Omar Marmoush having scored just two Premier League goals between them so far this season.
Roberto De Zerbi remains a big fan of Dominic Solanke
De Zerbi has continued to back Solanke publicly despite the striker’s difficult start to the campaign. The Tottenham boss made his feelings clear after the 1-1 draw against Manchester United last month, when he defended the former Bournemouth man against criticism.
Speaking after that match, De Zerbi said: “He deserves to be a captain today, because he suffered maybe too much, because ‘Tottenham didn’t win, Tottenham didn’t score, who is the striker of Tottenham? Solanke is not good enough’, it’s not true. Solanke is good enough to play, maybe he is the best striker for us, because his qualities.
“He is a complete player, he is a good guy, he has personality, he has to feel good in terms of his physical condition, but he is a great player, and I wanted to show what is my confidence, and what is the importance I give him in this team.”
Jacobs has now suggested that De Zerbi’s support for Solanke goes beyond what he has said publicly. The journalist says his information is that the Tottenham head coach genuinely rates the 29-year-old highly.
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Speaking on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness Podcast, Jacobs said: “What they won’t want to do is necessarily go all in and panic buy in January for someone on a long-term contract, instead of just biding their time and waiting it out.
“Because you’ve got Dominic Solanke, who is liked, according to my information, by Roberto De Zerbi. So they’re short on goals. But, they’re not actually that short, in my opinion, of attacking options, they just maybe could use a luxury extra number nine option.
“But if everyone’s fit, Roberto de Zerbi won’t be pressing the panic button. So they could move for a striker in January, but only if the right target presents itself.”
Tottenham’s striker numbers explain the January dilemma
De Zerbi’s faith in Solanke does not change the fact that Tottenham need more goals from their centre-forwards. Spurs have failed to score in five of their opening ten Premier League matches, while Solanke and Marmoush have managed just two league goals between them.
Both players have also featured in the League Cup this season, and their combined-competition statistics provide a broader picture of their contributions. Solanke has played fewer minutes than Marmoush, so their raw totals need to be considered alongside the amount of time each has spent on the pitch.
Across those two competitions, Solanke has scored twice in 572 minutes, while Marmoush has one goal in 749 minutes. Neither return is likely to satisfy supporters, although Solanke’s figures also show why judging him purely on his league goal tally would not tell the whole story.
The issue for Tottenham is whether those numbers reflect a temporary loss of form or a problem that needs addressing in the transfer market. De Zerbi appears willing to give Solanke more time, but the pressure will increase if Spurs continue to struggle in front of goal.
Should Spurs sign a striker in January or wait until the summer?
Tottenham have already been linked with a long list of centre-forwards ahead of January. The challenge is finding someone who would improve the squad without committing to a long-term deal for a player who is not among the club’s preferred targets.
One name linked with Spurs is Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, although reports suggest Bournemouth are reluctant to sell the striker in January. That illustrates the difficulty Tottenham could face if they decide to pursue a long-term target during the winter window.
Kroupi’s goalscoring record last season helps explain why he has attracted attention. The comparison below shows his 2025/26 figures alongside Solanke’s, although the players featured for different clubs and the totals cover different combinations of competitions.
Kroupi scored 13 goals in 1,846 minutes across the competitions included in the comparison, while Solanke managed six in 1,177 minutes. Those figures show why Kroupi’s goalscoring record is attracting attention, but they are not enough on their own to establish that he would be an upgrade on Solanke.
Tottenham would also have to consider how any new signing fits De Zerbi’s style of play. The Italian has repeatedly highlighted Solanke’s all-round qualities, suggesting he values more than simply the number of goals his striker scores.
De Zerbi’s faith in Solanke leaves Tottenham with a difficult choice
There is a strong argument for Spurs to bring in another striker in January, particularly if their problems in front of goal continue. However, signing someone simply to increase the number of attacking options would not necessarily solve the issue.
Tottenham could instead decide to wait until the summer, when a wider range of targets may be available. That would give Solanke and Marmoush more time to find their form, although it would also mean taking a risk with the current squad.
Jacobs’ information suggests De Zerbi has not lost faith in Solanke, despite his disappointing goalscoring return. The bigger question is whether Tottenham can afford to be patient if the goals do not start coming.