Tottenham Hotspur have had very few truly positive performances in the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League seasons, but even under Thomas Frank, Spurs can always count on rivals West Ham United to help them feel good about themselves.
After gifting Spurs their most talented player in Mohammed Kudus, who was carrying the attack before an unfortunate injury the preceding weekend, the Hammers got absolutely rocked by Spurs 3-0 in September.
Now, with Spurs reeling after more disappointing performances, including a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup the previous weekend, they have to get things right this coming weekend with their second matchup of the season against West Ham.
Tottenham could have two 'new' starters
They will not have Kudus available due to injury, but new signing Conor Gallagher could be in Thomas Frank's lineup to help the cause. And perhaps even more importantly than that, with Richarlison freshly injured for surprisingly the first time this season, another recently injured striker could make his biggest return yet.
Dominic Solanke cost Tottenham Hotspur 65 million pounds in the summer 2024 transfer window, and while he did not quite live up to that hefty, record breaking billing in his first season as a Spur, he was a positive overall and played a vital role in winning the Europa League with clutch goals and excellent all around performances.
There is no question that Solanke is the best striker in the Tottenham squad when fully healthy and at his best, and he is absolutely a higher quality footballer in the year 2026 than Richy. Now, Solanke has been out for months with a tricky foot injury, failing to start a single game in the 2025/26 season with just three appearances.
But Solanke did return to the pitch last weekend against Aston Villa for a few minutes off the bench in the FA Cup. Ahead of Saturday's big game against West Ham, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank spoke about Dominic Solanke and stated that he is making good progress, strongly hinting at more minutes ahead for the England international.
Frank told reporters, via Football.London's Alasdair Gold, "Destiny and Dom got a good week of training so are closer to playing more minutes."
We have heard Frank say similar about Solanke before, but hearing it just days away from the game itself is an entirely different equation. Randal Kolo Muani is another talented striker on the Tottenham roster, but despite a great game against PSG and a few other decent performances, he has yet to grab the job by the scruff of its neck.
Solanke's all around game and big box presence will be huge for Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher in midfield, as well as Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert on the wings. Tottenham had pretty much given up hope on Solanke this season, so if he can start as soon as the West Ham game and start playing significant minutes, maybe, just maybe, Spurs can take off striker as a black hole of a need this season.