Spurs could repeat their Soldado nightmare | OneFootball

Tottenham have endured a very topsy-turvy start to the season with Nuno Santo overseeing three wins on the spin and then winning Premier League manager of the month.

However, after overseeing a wonderful August, Spurs were back in the dumps throughout September as they won just once in the league.

What’s the word?

What hasn’t helped Nuno’s men is a lack of goals from star man Harry Kane.

Tottenham managed to keep hold of the England captain despite rife speculation over the summer but he is yet to find the net in the top-flight during 2021/22.

His future at the club is still unclear but recent reports in Italy claim Spurs could sign Alvaro Morata as Kane’s replacement.

Currently valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, it would presumably be an expensive move to sanction.

Morata is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid but the Old Lady don’t want to see him become a permanent part of the furniture. Thus, it opens the door for Spurs to move in and swoop.

Soldado 2.0

Cast your minds back to the summer of 2013 and Tottenham fans will crawl up into a ball of fear.

The club sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid after using a portion of the eventual fee they received on acquiring Roberto Soldado.

The Spanish forward arrived in a then club-record deal worth £26m but it was a humungous waste of time and money.

Soldado struggled significantly in English football and only netted 16 times in 76 outings. His time in north London is a constant source of anguish for the striker who hardly spoke glowingly of his time there.

In an interview with The Guardian, he said: “I always say if there is one period of my career I’m not happy with, it’s my time at Tottenham.”

The forward continued: “I also had Harry Kane’s boom to contend with.”

Sadly, Morata is also a player who’s attracted fierce criticism for his performances, especially in England.

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Who cost more?

Tanguy Ndombele Giovani Lo Celso

During his time at Chelsea, the attacker regularly missed simple opportunities to score, a habit that has continued throughout his time elsewhere on the continent.

He scored just 12 times in 34 outings for Atletico in 2019/20 and then bagged only 11 goals in 32 matches for Juve last season.

His form at the European Championships was also questionable. Like Soldado, he struggled in front of goal and was given quite the hammering by Gary Neville.

The outspoken pundit remarked: “He’s got that vulnerable look about him, almost like he needs a cuddle.”

“It’s like he apologises to the ball before he makes contact with it, ‘Sorry, I’m gonna have to kick you here!’ There is just no belief.”

Also described as “fragile” by Maurizio Sarri, Morata clearly lacks the ability to be a constant threat.

Considering he could act as a replacement for Kane, this is a disaster waiting to happen. If they do end up selling, they can’t afford to replicate the situation that unfolded when Bale walked through the exit door.