Manor Solomon sends message as he returns to Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur are set to welcome Manor Solomon back to North London after a turbulent deadline day departure.
Solomon‘s future was the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer after returning from last season’s loan at Leeds United, in which he scored 10 goals and added 12 assists in their Championship.
Thomas Frank failed to mention Solomon when discussing his options for the season ahead in a massive boost for Leeds’ chances of re-signing him, but the Whites ultimately missed out securing his services.
Leicester City also failed with a bid to sign Solomon on deadline day as the Israel winger was pushed towards the exit door at Tottenham, but he instead departed for pastures new and joined La Liga side Villarreal on loan.
Tottenham to face Manor Solomon on Champions League return
Football Insider revealed on 6 September that Solomon snubbed a return to Leeds due to Villarreal’s presence in the Champions League, with the offer of playing with Europe’s elite too good to turn down.
UEFA Conference League-bound Crystal Palace also failed to turn Solomon’s head towards Selhurst Park in the final throes of the summer window, as he prepares to come up against Tottenham on Tuesday.
Champions League rules dictate that loaned players can face their parent clubs in the competition, and as a result Solomon looks set for his first appearance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since 2023.
The match could also mark Solomon’s first Champions League appearance since his Shakhtar Donetsk days, with Spurs not in the competition during his time there, and he noted this fact in an Instagram story post which said: “It’s been a while…”
Manor Solomon decision could come back to bite Tottenham
Football Insider Verdict
Although Spurs are only likely to come up against their on-loan winger once in this season’s Champions League due to the competition’s new league phase format, they’ve created an avoidable potential issue.
The Champions League draw was made days before Solomon’s exit was sanctioned, and Frank could be left to rue his decision if Solomon contributes to a Villarreal win on the Dane’s Champions League debut.
Crystal Palace and potentially Leeds could be seen as competition for Spurs’ bid to reach Europe next season , and depriving either club of Solomon when facing Tottenham in the league could have been a preferable scenario.