De Zerbi Demands More From Solanke as Tottenham’s Winless Run Continues
Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa has intensified scrutiny on Dominic Solanke, with Roberto De Zerbi conceding that the striker’s present level is below what the club require from a £65 million signing.
Solanke’s fitness and confidence under examination
Spurs are still without a Premier League win after five matches, and Saturday’s home defeat exposed familiar problems in the final third despite the side ending its league scoring drought. Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored for Tottenham, but a poor second-half performance allowed Villa to leave with the points.
Solanke started the match but was withdrawn in the 66th minute after another quiet display. His performance followed a similarly limited outing in the 0-0 draw at Everton earlier this month.
The England forward has played in all seven Tottenham fixtures so far this season, yet his only goal came against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup. The 29-year-old had an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign and also missed periods of pre-season, factors De Zerbi believes remain relevant to his current output.
De Zerbi said Tottenham need a greater contribution from Solanke, while making clear that he continues to back the former Bournemouth player. The head coach said the forward’s physical condition is not yet at the necessary level, though he described that as understandable after injury problems. He also suggested Solanke may be short of confidence and stressed that the striker is capable of considerably more.
Key moments in Tottenham’s attacking dilemma
- Solanke’s previous season was affected by injuries, while his summer preparation was also incomplete.
- He has appeared in all seven matches this term but has scored only once, against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
- Tottenham remained winless through five league games after losing 3-2 to Aston Villa.
- Solanke was replaced after 66 minutes as Spurs struggled to alter the match from the bench.
- Mathys Tel was left out of the matchday squad, leaving James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus as De Zerbi’s only specialist attacking alternatives.
Richarlison absence remains a major squad issue
Solanke’s difficult opening has drawn further attention because Richarlison was omitted from Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad. The Brazilian scored 11 league goals last season as Spurs preserved their top-flight status, but was told he was not in the club’s first-team plans and could pursue a departure.
A proposed move to Everton failed before the August deadline. Richarlison could have occupied one of Tottenham’s 17 non-homegrown places, with long-term absentee Xavi Simons instead included in the squad list.
De Zerbi said Richarlison’s situation was effectively determined by the player himself after he did not complete a move away. With Tottenham short of goals and Solanke still finding form, the decision has become increasingly prominent.
Tel left out as De Zerbi limits his options
Tel has also had a difficult beginning to the campaign and did not make the bench against Villa. De Zerbi described the omission as a technical choice rather than a disciplinary matter, saying Maddison and Kudus offered better prospects of changing the game.
The coach also pointed to the importance of his defensive selections, including the two centre-backs and full-backs, naming Pedro Porro, Archie Gray and the central midfielders among the players considered necessary for the match.
De Zerbi said he explained the decision directly to Tel and that the player accepted it well. Even so, Tottenham’s limited attacking depth was apparent as they chased the game.
Key takeaways
- Tottenham have no Premier League win after five matches.
- Solanke has one goal in seven appearances, despite regular selection.
- De Zerbi has publicly identified the striker’s physical sharpness and confidence as areas that must improve.
- Richarlison remains unavailable for league selection after his failed Everton move and exclusion from the 25-man squad.
- Tel’s absence against Aston Villa left Tottenham with few attacking changes available during the second half.
