How Tottenham will line up with Dominic Solanke

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke, ending their long wait to bring in a new star striker.

Spurs decided not to directly replace club legend Harry Kane upon his sale to Bayern Munich last summer, instead making do with Son Heung-min and Richarlison.

But head coach Ange Postecoglou has been insistent on the club strengthening up front this transfer window, and Solanke is the striker who fits his mould to a tee.

Here's how Tottenham could line up with Solanke in their starting XI.

HOW TOTTENHAM COULD LINE UP WITH DOMINIC SOLANKE

Watch now as Jacob Culshaw, Sean Walsh, Katie Catherall and Davina Pindoria discuss how Dominic Solanke could fit in at Tottenham and why he is the perfect fit for them!

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As a lone striker - 4-2-3-1

Tottenham were at their best last season when James Maddison was running the show and pulling the strings - their form in the winter and spring suffered when he was either injured or simply off the boil.

But after missing out on England's Euro 2024 squad, Maddison will have a point to prove heading into the new campaign, and his performances should be boosted playing behind a natural number nine like Solanke.

It's a two-way deal which should benefit Spurs. Maddison now has a striker capable of making the right runs and standing in the right places, while there are multiple avenues from which Solanke can receive possession.

Potential lineups

Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

As a lone striker - 4-3-3

Maddison also dropped deeper into midfield for Spurs last term, while he is expected to be rivalled for his spot by teenage signing Lucas Bergvall.

The way Tottenham space their attacks lends itself more to a 4-3-3 anyways, allowing the wingers to push high and wide, delivering crosses for their centre forward.

Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson, though perhaps lacking in other technical areas, have mastered crossing through the six-yard box and arriving at the last line to convert those chances themselves. What the team lacked was a natural poacher ready to get in on the act, and Solanke will fill that need.

Potential lineups

Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Johnson, Solanke, Son

With a strike partner - 4-4-2/3-5-2

It was a rarity to see Postecoglou switch to a two-man strike force last season, but he will now have the option to do so with Solanke coming through the Hotspur Way doors.

If Solanke is to play with another striker - as he did with the likes of Enes Unal and Callum Wilson at Bournemouth - then the easy suggestion would be in a 4-4-2. But Tottenham's assortment of fine centre-backs - Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin - plus attacking full-backs in Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie makes a back-three formation all the more intriguing.

Potential lineups

Solanke, Son

Solanke, Richarlison

What is Tottenham's strongest lineup?

With a return to the Europa League down in the diary, Tottenham are in for a long season.

If injuries hamper them the same way they did last campaign, then it could also be a slog.

So let's bring some positive energy and have a look at the strongest lineup available to Spurs when everyone is available, shall we?

Tottenham's strongest XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke

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