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SECOND FIDDLE

Looking back at the Spurs strikers who’ve wasted away behind Harry Kane

With Spurs eyeing another striker in the summer, we take a look at the players who've struggled to dislodge Kane as the club's lone-forward

It must be tough to be a striker at Spurs. 

With the consistent excellence of a certain Harry Kane, you’re only really going to get a chance when he’s injured or being rested, right?

Irreplaceable

EPA
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Irreplaceable

So we can’t help but feel a little worried for Federico Chiesa, who’s been tipped for a move to North London this summer.

The young Italian will surely be just another name on a long list of forwards who’ve competed (and lost) for that solitary striker role.

Just ask this lot.


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Roberto Soldado

Sigh

PA:Press Association
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Sigh

Remember him?

Signed in the summer of 2013 to help fans cope with the inevitable departure of Gareth Bale (he left for Real Madrid exactly a month later), Soldado was meant to be the club’s go-to striker for years to come.

But despite being one of the top goalscorers in La Liga the year before, the former Valencia man really struggled to find the back of the net in England.

Occasional moment of joy

Reuters
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Occasional moment of joy

His first season at the club was marred by inconsistency, as he struggled to score from open play – although he was rather decent from the penalty spot.

In total, Soldado hit just seven top-flight goals in two years at the club and eventually left at the end of the 2014-15 season – right around the time Kane started to establish himself as the club’s first-choice striker.

Emmanuel Adebayor

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What an odd Spurs career this guy had.

Initially signed on a season-long loan from Man City the season after he helped knock Spurs out of the Champions League with Real Madrid, Adebayor became an instant hit at the club despite his previous connections at Arsenal.

Like to know what’s being said here

Action Images - Reuters
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Like to know what’s being said here

But it wasn’t all plain-sailing, as he struggled to get a game under Andre Villas-Boas – who even made him train with the kids at the start of the 2013–14 season – before getting back among the action under Tim Sherwood.

But when Kane started showing what he could do in 2014, Adebayor gradually found himself on the bench more and more.

Clinton N’Jie

Umm?

PA:Press Association
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Umm?

We can’t really remember this guy.

N’Jie didn’t really get much of a chance at Spurs, making just eight appearances – all of them from the bench – before moving to Marseille a year after joining from Lyon.

No where near dislodging Kane.

Vincent Janssen

He’s one of those striker who needs it played right to his feet

PA:Press Association
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He’s one of those striker who needs it played right to his feet

This one really should’ve been better.

The Dutchman was signed from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2016 after netting 27 goals in the Eredivisie.

So he should be more than capable of getting a few in the Premier League, right?

Sigh pt. 2

Reuters
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Sigh pt. 2

Well, unfortunately, it seems he was thrown in at the deep end a bit too soon.

With Kane injuring his ankle just a few weeks into the 2016-17 season, Janssen was given the task of leading the line for Spurs.

Not a good look

Times Newspapers Ltd
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Not a good look

Out for a month, Kane had to watch on as Janssen started 11 matches up front, but struggle to replicate the goal-scoring form Spurs fans had some accustomed to.

His first goal for the club came from the penalty spot in a big win over Gillingham in the EFL Cup, and his first Premier League goal came soon after – also from the spot.

You know it makes sense

Rex Features
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You know it makes sense

He eventually grabbed a goal from open play in the FA Cup against Millwall, but his lack of form and often nervy demeanour meant he was back behind Kane when the England striker returned to the fold.

He joined Turkish side Fenerbahce this season on a season-long loan, so could be one for the future.

Son Heung-min

Got love for Janssen

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Got love for Janssen

Not really a striker and certainly not someone who’s behind Kane, but deserves a mention.

Son has been excellent for Spurs since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, gradually establishing himself as an important part of Mauricio Pochettino’s line-up.

Cult hero

Ian Walton
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Cult hero

He’s often played behind Kane on the right wing, but has occasionally had to play as a forward.

Like last season, for example, when Janssen’s poor form saw Son used as a lone-forward in the win over Man City.

Fernando Llorente

There was that hat-trick against Rochdale in the snow…

AFP or licensors
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There was that hat-trick against Rochdale in the snow…

Here’s the latest Kane back-up who’s struggled to make an impact at Spurs.

Signed from Swansea at the start of the season for £12million, the handsome Spaniard has mainly started in cup matches and has been used sparingly from the bench – although he did start just behind Kane in the trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.

Can play together

AFP or licensors
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Can play together

Still, his struggle for minutes this season – with Kane gunning for his third successive Golden Boot – means that Llorente has only scored five goals for Spurs and only once in the Premier League.

Expect him to be gone in the summer.


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