Ange Postecoglou favourite has 'five games' to save his Tottenham career
Tottenham Hotspur's next five matches will be key in assessing whether Dominic Solanke is a long-term option for Roberto De Zerbi.
That is according to experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The English striker has just got himself off the mark, scoring the equalising goal against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw.
While Spurs still haven't won in the league, with Roberto De Zerbi's side down to 10 men at the time, it was an important point.
Solanke was a big favourite of former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou but has often disappointed in N17, with injury issues plaguing his North London career.
With his first goal of the season, he will now have to do a lot more to show he has overcome those struggles.
Dominic Solanke issued timeline to prove himself at Tottenham
Solanke has yet to hit the goalscoring level he showed at Bournemouth, and there are concerns over whether that is something he can ever return to.
The 29-year-old was brought in for big money in 2024, but he may be a player Spurs are already looking to upgrade on.
And that decision could arrive after the next five Tottenham games.
"The amount of money he cost from day one, he certainly should have proved and shown more than he has done up to now because he was one of a trio who was brought in with Tel and Richarlison," King told Football Insider.
"I think the three of them cost about £160million and not one of them has proved to be a regular goal scorer. Solanke showed he could do it at Bournemouth, but Bournemouth and Tottenham, Tottenham's another level as a football club.
"I'm afraid he hasn't really been showing anywhere near that, near £60m he cost.
"Nice to see that the goal he scored, I think, was more of a defensive error than it was an attacker making a goal, but he's the one whose name goes down as the goal scorer.
"If it gives him a lift, then fine, but, frankly you know, we should start discussing how far he's come after the next five matches."
Who do Tottenham play in the next five?
With Solanke needing to prove himself capable at Tottenham, the next five games will be important, as King says.
If the Englishman can go on a run of form, De Zerbi will have a key issue solved in his squad.
Getting results will be far from easy, with Spurs having quite the mixed bag of fixtures.
Followed up by two London derbies, with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before facing Crystal Palace at home.
Whether Solanke can cement his place remains to be seen, but with him off the mark, he needs to take his chance.