Ange Postecoglou is not panicking despite record signing Dominic Solanke not yet delivering at Tottenham Hotspur. He urges critics to do some yoga.
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Tottenham’s summer transfer window was highlighted by the high-profile signing of Dominic Solanke, with the club investing a record-breaking 65 million euros to bring the striker to North London.
Expectations were understandably high, but Solanke’s impact has so far been muted. Due to injuries, he has only managed to feature in three matches and is yet to find the back of the net. However, Spurs' manager Ange Postecoglou has refused to entertain any premature criticisms of the club’s marquee signing.
Addressing the growing concerns surrounding Solanke’s slow start, Postecoglou was quick to put things into perspective: "People are so quick to pass judgment. The boy has played less than two full matches for us," the manager said, showing his confidence in the player’s ability to bounce back once fully fit. "If after fifteen matches he hasn’t scored, I can answer that question differently, but right now, my thoughts are more along the lines of: 'take a deep breath, do some yoga. Reflect on the world for a moment before you pass judgment.'"
Postecoglou emphasized the importance of patience, reminding both the fans and media that football is a long-term game. "There’s no need to rush to judgment. If he had made a great start, been fully fit, scored in every game, then, at some point, he would still go through that inevitable phase all strikers go through when the goals just don’t come. That’s football. I don’t focus on the superficial stuff," he explained.
What truly matters to Postecoglou is Solanke’s adaptation to the team and his physical recovery. "What I care about is that he’s settled in well, and yes, he’s picked up an injury, but that’s part of the game. He has plenty of time to get back to full fitness and show what he’s capable of."
Tottenham’s manager continued to highlight the dangers of quick judgments in football, particularly in an era when social media and 24-hour news cycles amplify every misstep. He urged supporters to trust the process: "We need to resist this temptation to define players or their careers based on such a small sample size. It’s not realistic to expect him to hit the ground running when he’s barely had the chance to prove himself, especially with the injury setbacks."
As for Solanke, the pressure remains, but Postecoglou’s message offers some respite. With Tottenham looking to solidify their position in both the domestic league and European competitions, the hope remains that Solanke will soon demonstrate why the club was willing to break the bank for his services. For now, patience is the message coming from the manager’s office accompanied by a suggestion for yoga to keep things in perspective.
