Here we go.
No, not the Fab kind. It’s time for one last go around on the Tottenham Hotspur F***, Marry, Kill machine. What could I say in this one that could stir up even more controversy than suggesting we sell Brennan Johnson? Well, hold my beer.
We’re now up to Spurs’ last remaining group of players: the strikers. For each, we’ll give you our thoughts as to why they should stay (Keep), head out on loan (Loan), or go (Sell - either via an actual sale, or conclusion of their contract); though there may also be a bacon sandwich that pops up here and there also.
Editor’s note: this series and a couple of the pieces in it were nearly completed at time of writing, so we will still cover players whose future has already been confirmed (i.e. released players)
Richarlison - Sell
Man, it makes me sad writing this. The thing is, it’s not like Richy isn’t a good player. In some ways, he is the best striker on our books: excellent movement, high work-rate, and a natural finisher. I am a huge fan, let’s make that clear - but sometimes the best ability is availability. The man hasn’t managed 2,000 minutes in a single season at Spurs.
It just seems like Richy’s body can’t keep up with the rigors of top-level football anymore, and is there any value in keeping somebody around who’s just never able to play? Maybe, but as I’ve said in previous pieces, it probably makes more sense to take the money and reinvest in the squad.
Dominic Solanke - Keep
I’m officially now a Solanke skeptic. Earlier on in the 24/25 season, I was a big defender of him, impressed by his all-round game and assuming the finishing would come. It did not. Sure, Spurs’ attack just totally ceased to function as the season progressed, but Solanke’s inability to make the most of scoring chances contributed to that.
That said, Spurs committed a large amount of money to bringing Dom in, and it’s probably too soon to cut bait. Like I said, his all-round game is good - his passing, dribbling, and even pressing were better than I expected. He just needs to get that finishing going. For now, though, other areas of the squad are in more dire need of investment, so he keeps his place.
Dane Scarlett - Keep
You might think this a bit of a weird decision, with only two years left to run on his deal... but Dane’s development has stalled the last couple of years with some horrendous loans, and I wonder if it’s better to keep him closer to home for three reasons: 1) Spurs are desperately in need of club-trained players to round out their Champions League squad; 2) Dane needs to build some confidence, and I’m not sure sending him out to another middling team down the English pyramid helps with that; and 3) I think he could actually see some minutes in early cup rounds which could help build that confidence.
A lot of people are writing Dane off, but the Oxford United team in which he struggled had all sorts of problems with dysfunction in build-up before he would even touch the ball; and honestly, every time he plays, he just LOOKS like a proper striker. His movement is excellent, he hustles well, and he gets his shots off quickly. I genuinely think there could still be a player there. That, plus his value is probably at an all-time low right now. With that in mind, I think the first half of the season spent in London before potentially looking at a January loan makes a lot of sense.
Alejo Veliz - Sell
Another Spurs loanee who has struggled in a side seemingly allergic to attacking, Veliz’s loan at Espanyol was another bust. Unfortunately, he doesn’t add the club-trained value to Spurs’ squad that Scarlett does, so in this case a sale makes sense. Apparently the club agrees, with reports in recent days that Spurs have rejected loan approaches from Argentina, with Spurs preferring to sell the young Argentine outright. And you know what? That’s okay. These are the sort of gambles Spurs should be making with young talent. Sometimes you get a Lucas Bergvall; sometimes you don’t!
Mason Melia - Keep
You may not be immediately familiar with this name, but Mason Melia broke the record transfer fee for a League of Ireland player, with Spurs paying £1.6 million for the Irish youngster’s signing back in January. The 17-year-old was targeted by the likes of Everton, Chelsea, and Manchester City, but instead opted for North London.
To give you an idea of his talent, he debuted at the senior level at the age of 15, and is already in double figures for goals. That is unbelievable production at that age, playing against grown-ups. Unfortunately, he won’t actually be joining up with Spurs until January 2026, where I would be extremely surprised if the club did anything but keep him close, both to aid his early development and potentially to be a very dire break glass in case of emergency option - doubly useful if Scarlett heads out on loan in January.
Will Lankshear - Loan
Heading to the Championship for your first senior loan is pretty impressive, and though Will Lankshear didn’t score a goal in his time at West Bromwich Albion, context is important. Lankshear only played around four 90’s, and in that time managed 1.1 xG and 7 shots - and that was in a West Brom team that were a bit of a mess: manager Tony Mowbray only lasted three months between January and April, with a rather dire run of form leaving The Baggies in midtable.
Fans at West Brom (not always the best gauge of quality to be clear) were also hugely impressed with what they saw from Willy Lanks, and it thus makes a lot of sense for him to return to The Hawthorns under new manager Ryan Mason to continue his development.
The strikers are probably an area that is slightly lower in terms of investment required. With a player who is a reasonably reliable starting option and a number of other players that can step into the forward role in a pinch, other positions require more attention from the Spurs front office.
Join us next time for our final piece in this series, where we break down the squad as a whole, talk through Spurs’ strengths, the holes, and the possible signings.
Check out our previous pieces here: