Tottenham are looking set to promote from within once again after striker Shayon Harrison has been seen training with the first team squad, as the club prepare to take on Southampton in an away match on Boxing Day. This game will be followed by a trip to Watford a few days later.
One of the weakest positions in the Tottenham squad continues to be the striking department, where there are very less alternatives beyond Harry Kane. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to strengthen this area of the pitch considering that Vincent Janssen may have to be written off as an expensive mistake. The Dutchman came to the club for £17 million from Ajax in the summer, but he has been extremely poor. Many expected Janssen to perform if he received a major break, but even then, the striker failed to grasp the opportunity when Kane missed more than a month of action due to injury.
There are still two matches to go before January and Spurs have to contend these two away matches – against Southampton and Watford – with the existing squad. Spurs are set to face a demanding fixture schedule with no less than three games in the space of 10 days. It means that the squad will be tested to the limit in terms of recovering the energy, and managers would have to rotate the squad in such circumstances. Pochettino has shown earlier this season that he has enough strength in depth to retain the team, but the forward line up presents a major problem.
Shayon Harrison made his debut for Spurs in the EFL Cup match against Liverpool, which ended in a 2-1 loss. Even though he came on as a substitute with only seven minutes remaining, it was a debut nonetheless at one of the toughest away grounds in the United Kingdom. Harrison may have failed to secure the much needed equaliser, but he has certainly made an impression with his hard work and quality. Pochettino has rewarded him with a place in the first-team squad’s training, which suggest that it may not be long before Harrison takes his place on the bench on a regular basis.
If there is indeed quality, the 19-year-old may very well replace Harry Kane in the upcoming games against Southampton and Watford.
Spurs are expected to bolster the attack by considering players like Wilfried Zaha and Memphis Depay. The former is in form and will be in demand from several clubs across the Premier League. The latter is also in demand, but for reasons like being an investment for the future. Depay has failed to hit the right notes at Manchester United, but he clearly has the talent for clubs to work on.
