Tottenham to continue hunt for Harry Kane back-up amidst squad concern

Tottenham still without answers in striker solution behind Harry Kane

North London outfit Tottenham are set to re-institute a search they have still yet to complete; a true back-up to star striker and England stalwart Harry Kane.

Report goes on to say Spurs will have the age old problem of trying to find someone in January who will improve the squad who is also happy to play second fiddle to Harry Kane https://t.co/jwph8YPLaW

— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) October 19, 2021

New Spurs boss Nuno Espiríto Santo has come up against the same issue that had plagued both Mauricio Pochettino and José Mourinho in the past as he looks to establish his credentials as manager at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Espiríto Santo has struggled to find an attacking solution thus far at his new charge in the early doors of the 2021-22 season, as Spurs has bagged just 9-goals in eight league fixtures, but still have managed to sit fifth in the Premier League table despite a negative goal difference.

But the efficiency and effectiveness in how the Portuguese manager found consistency through Mexican international Raúl Jiménez, while balancing the squad with options on the bench to offer either depth in the team, or a strike partner alongside Jiménez, has yet to take root at Spurs in a similar vein.

NAPLES, CAMPANIA, ITALY – 2020/01/18: Fiorentina’s Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs Fiorentina ACF.
Fiorentina won 2-0. (Photo by Salvatore Laporta/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Tottenham have previously been linked with interest in Serbian starlet Dusan Vlahović, and that links has resurfaced as the Fiorentina forward could be on his way out of Tuscany in January, with newly-purchased Newcastle also keen in acquiring his services. Whether Vlahović will want to play second-fiddle to Kane remains to be seen, but given the interest in the Serbian hitman it is likely he would opt for a move that will see him be the main man.

There is the tactical possibility that NES could turn to a two-man frontline, with Kane & Vlahović being used in tandem should a deal be struck for the Belgrade-native, but that also is just conjecture at the minute.

England man finally off the mark this season

Harry Kane finally got off the mark this season for Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend, scoring Spurs’ second and assisting Son Heung-Min’s strike in stoppage time in the first half, which proved to be the winner in a 3-2 win away at St. James’ Park against Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Kane has been unable to translate his goalscoring efforts from Europe back across English borders this season, having netted a hat trick against NŠ Mura on matchday two of the Europa Conference League while also bagging a brace against Paços de Ferreira in the second-leg of their qualifying fixture for the same competition.

The England striker also managed to score against Wolves in the third round of the Carabao Cup, but his slow start to the season has been a chief reason why Tottenham have managed so few goals in comparison to where they sit in the table.

Whether or not Spurs will be able to secure a quality center-forward option behind Kane – with some suggesting the club missed a trick when they didn’t sign Danny Ings in the summer – still remains to be seen, but if his goalscoring slump continues, it certainly will be of paramount importance.