Tottenham might be the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League, but their place in the standing doesn’t make for particularly good reading. The Lily Whites sit in 5th place after a barren run of drawn games where they have looked lacklustre and lackadaisical. One of the major reasons for their shortcomings was the absence of Harry Kane and this showed against Arsenal when the England international made his return from injury. Kane scored the penalty spot to gave Spurs a hard-fought away draw at The Emirates.
His return was met with joy but also threw light on the fact that Spurs have only Vincent Janssen in reserve if Kane were to be out again. Janssen has failed to impress since moving from AZ Alkmaar in the summer. He has looked brash and has only 3 goals to his name despite being given playing time in the absence of Spurs’ leading striker.
In the absence of Kane, only South Korean Heung-Min Son stepped up to the play and scored 5 goals, which has been of utmost importance to a Spurs side that have lacked goals, but the 24-year-old still lack that much-needed consistency. With that being said, Tottenham need to find a proven cover for Harry Kane as these kind of situations might occur anytime and the Lilly-Whites cannot really afford to drop any more points.
So, here are 3 strikers that Spurs should target to ease the burden on Harry Kane’s shoulders –
Alexandre Lacazette
The free-scoring Frenchman was linked with a move to West Ham in the summer, but that never quite happened. The Hammers even made a big bid for him, although it was rejected by Olympique Lyon’s president John Michel Aulas. He would make a great signing for Spurs who are in need of firepower up top. They don’t just need any striker, but one that can try to match Harry Kane’s previous prolific nature in front of goal.
He has scored plenty of goals in his time at Lyon and this will encourage any possible suitors, including Spurs. Daniel Levy is known to play hardball, but he must pay the price for Lacazette if this ever gets serious. Lyon’s president Aulas is a stubborn man too and it will be nice to see who wins the battle in the end. Lacazette nevertheless will be itching to test himself in English waters and a move to Spurs might just make perfect sense. The presence of his former teammate and captain Hugo Lloris at Spurs might smoothen the deal.
Mario Mandzukic
The Croat has had quite a nomadic career so far, having spent time at Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid before moving to Juventus. But one thing he does assure is; a decent goal return. He showed exactly the same at each of his previous clubs. He is well renowned for his aerial prowess and ability to power his way into the opposition box to get on the end of crosses.
His physical nature would suit the Premier League perfectly. He now finds himself behind in the pecking order at Juventus with Argentines Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain ahead of him. Such a situation obviously will displease him and that he hasn’t seen enough game time this season will make him explore a departure from Turin.
Mauro Icardi
Another player that plies his trade in the Serie A, Icardi has been a prolific goal scorer in his time at Italy. Although he is a player that often attracts unnecessary attention off the pitch, he turns into a goal scoring animal on it. Ever since moving to Inter Milan from Sampdoria, the Argentine has scored plenty of goals and even gone on to become club captain due to the departure/retirement of many club stalwarts.
Inter Milan have struggled this season and find themselves in 9th place. There is a lot of turbulence at Inter and Icardi might not want to stay for too much longer. Recently, he got himself into hot water for his comments on the Ultras (Inter’s fans) and they have been hostile in their treatment towards him ever since. He also made remarks that aren’t expected of professional footballers usually as they were threatening in nature and this questions his maturity as club captain. The situation at San Siro is very unclear and come January, there might be some clarity. But Icardi would definitely be a good option for Spurs if he can keep aside his off-field troubles.