Dominic Solanke in action for Tottenham with Roberto De Zerbi looking on from circular inset

Dominic Solanke and Roberto De ZerbiImago

Roberto De Zerbi needs a tactical rethink on Dominic Solanke at Tottenham - here's why

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Published on:

23 Sep 2026, 10:40 am

Dominic Solanke is a man badly out of form for Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have endured a nightmare start to the 2026/27 season under Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi produced a rescue act to spare Tottenham the embarrassment of relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.

Over £300million was spent on improving the team to avoid a repeat of another relegation battle.

But five games in and Spurs have just two points to their name, while they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool.

And England striker Solanke is one player whose form is way off it, but could it be that a tactical rethink would get the best out of him?

Dominic Solanke is an isolated figure at Tottenham

Solanke is yet to get off the mark for Tottenham this season, and Alan Brazil spoke of one way he thinks De Zerbi can help him.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Brazil said: "Maybe it's old fashioned, but when you're struggling I'd play two centre-forwards up there.

"Get it wide, get it in the box, the times Tottenham got it wide, got it in the box, Dom Solanke was there with three other defenders. It's not good enough, they won't put it in."

A lot at Solanke's stats certainly suggests a player who is completely isolated at the top end of the pitch.

In five Premier League appearances, Solanke has had just five shots and an xG of just 0.56.

Of those five efforts, only one has been on target - simply not enough from a striker who cost £65million from Bournemouth in August 2024.

Within those shots, Solanke does have one big chance missed to his name - but he is simply got getting enough opportunities.

Part of that could be attributed to Solanke, who has won just 27 per cent of his top-flight duels, and just looks devoid of confidence.

But can De Zerbi do more to help him?

Ex-FIFA official reacts to moment that left Dominic Solanke fuming in Tottenham loss vs Aston Villa

What can De Zerbi do to help Solanke at Tottenham?

Brazil might have over simplified things just a little bit with his idea of simply going two strikers up top.

But it is something that could be considered, because Solanke's numbers suggest a player who just is not getting enough service or players around him.

If De Zerbi were to go two up top, then the most obvious solution would be to play Omar Marmoush off Solanke.

Doing that might require a rethink in formation. Would Spurs for instance be better suited to playing a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 - a system that Mauricio Pochettino would often employ to great effect.

What Spurs badly lack in their current shape is a proper "number 10", with James Maddison having his minutes limited through injuries.

If Maddison can get a good run of games, then that in itself might be enough to help fill the creative void in attacking midfield and provide Solanke with much better service.

But De Zerbi probably should ponder a switch. For once it could provide more defensive solidity, something that is badly lacking in this team.

And it could mean that Solanke, a man who only really thrives off service into the box, will have more opportunities to shine.

James Maddison