Who knows how Spurs’ front line will look at the start of 2013-14 but for once it seems certain that a striker purchase will come ahead of the new campaign. There are other questions too – will Emmanuel Adebayor be retained and will Jermain Defoe leave the club for a second time after a relatively modest record of 15 goals from 43 games last season?
As the new season approaches, several of the youngsters from the fringes of the squad will be looking to make an impact but are any of these players ready to step up and take responsibility as a fourth striker?
Harry Kane
Harry always seemed ready for the final test of a potential Tottenham player – a loan deal to another Premiership club – but the move to Norwich seemed a strange one. It was unlikely that the forward would get too much game time alongside Grant Holt while injury left him with a record of five appearances and no goals from his time at Carrow Road.
A subsequent loan to Leicester produced two strikes in 13 but that ratio suggests that he may be going backwards. However, he has one Europa League goal for the club and is still just 19 so another Premiership loan might be the likely option.
Jon Obika
At 22, Obika has less time on his hands than Kane but he has a deal at Spurs until 2014 after impressing during the Under 21 version of the Premier League. 2013-14 saw two senior appearances for Tottenham and ten loan games at Charlton that produced three goals.
As impressive as that Under 21 run may have been, this must surely be the season that Jon has to make a big impression at Premiership level.
Souleymane Coulibaly
Arguably the most exciting of the bunch, Ivorian Coulibaly is just 18 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Serie B club Grosseto where he finished with a record of two goals in 12 games. Mid-way through that spell, the striker confessed that he was looking to make his mark at the Lane next season.
“I want to make my name at Spurs next season or in the future, but I have to bide my time because there are some top players in the Premier League in my position,” Coulibaly said.
This man may have the biggest potential of all candidates but perhaps a loan spell in the second tier of English football is a logical move.
Shaq Coulthirst
The rank outsider, Shaq has only just signed his first professional deal with the club but some outstanding performances in the NextGen tournament – including a hat trick against Barcelona might just take him to the front of the queue.
At the very least, Coulthirst may get some bench time outside of the league matches but does he have the capacity to go further?
The Europa League and Capital One Cup might give Andre Villas-Boas the chance to take a look at some of these players but are any of them ready for the fourth striker slot? If not, what is their next move?
I’d keep Defoe and Ade. Both seem to play better when they have to fight for a spot and both will be under valued after mediocre seasons. Just add David Villa and a speedy winger. Have Bale, Villa, Ade and Defoe. Free up some wages with the fringe guys. Siggy, Dempsay, Rose. These guys can be moved on at a profit I think.
We need Dempsey and Siggy mate, we have other competitions and injuries to take care of, not to mention they did some good assists and important goals for Spurs, you suggestion on selling them is very bad.
Get rid of ade and defoe bring in mario gomez, davis villa and demba ba or benteke, also fellerey from barca shift out parker, hudd,bae,dawson gomes
I have read many many blogs on who we should sell and who we should buy . It amazes me that fans still want to keep Adebayor , Defoe and Huddlestone . For me players like these have had their day . For us to move forward we need players like Soldado . This is a vast upgrade on what we have . Players I would sell are those that have been said in this blog I would support . Some of our young guys could replace these and the others would be replaced with quality signings.
Ade & Defoe have to go. we need new blood and players who want to prove something.
The young guys coming up are a long way from being ready. Kane has been on loan several times and has not exactly filled the net at the lower or Premier level. I would use Coulibaly, Obika & Coulthirst in the pre-season and use them as squad players and run them out in the League Cup and give them the odd 25 mins Premier time.
The fact is we need to splash some serious moneyto obtain the qaulity forwards that we have not had since Berbatov & Keane played together, this cost us a Champions League spot this year.
Junk Hud, Bae, Defoe & Ade;
Bring in Soldado and Villa.
Keep Dempsey and Siggy, as they were both very profound and got results when we needed last season.
Give Obika, Coulthirst & Coulibaly a shot. Especially Obika as he has earned it. Played in 10 gms for Charlton but in actual playing time only about 5, scoring 3 and assisting on 2. Its time for next step.
Get rid of livermore parker defoe ade bad buy naughton dawson huddlestone dawson bae.
Bring in villa affely mario gomez vermaleun and danny rose back from loan