Can Tottenham afford to offload Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen?

Tottenham’s search for a backup striker will continue on this winter, but can Spurs actually afford to sell both options behind Harry Kane?

It’s abundantly clear that neither Fernando Llorente or Vincent Janssen is going to survive at Tottenham for the long haul. Each striker was purchased with the hope that he could provide adequate cover for Harry Kane. Both players have been spectacular failures. The question remains though, can Tottenham afford to sell them both this summer?

The short answer is probably yes. Mauricio Pochettino has made it quite clear that he doesn’t fancy either striker. If he isn’t going to trust them with actual playing time, neither serves much purpose remaining in North London.

Janssen is almost certainly going to leave if the club can find someone willing to take on his salary. Pochettino has already made the move to strip him of his No. 9 kit. There can be no more obvious sign that the Dutchmen will be leaving Hotspur Way very soon.

Llorente, at the very least, managed to play for Tottenham this summer. He scored a few fortunate goals, but he didn’t do anything to drastically shift Pochettino’s opinion of him. Llorente is simply too slow and plodding to fit into Spurs’ high intensity, pressing system. He still has the ability to make it into Pochettino’s match day 18 upon occasion, but he’s still be linked with a move away this summer. In particular, Bordeaux seem to be interested in taking him off of Tottenham’s hands.

The problem with selling both players is that it would really leave Pochettino without a backup striker. Son Heung-Min can play that role when he returns from the Asian games, but he isn’t a natural centre forward. Even so, it’s clear that Pochettino prefers him to either of the aforementioned No. 9s.

Even without Son, it’s very likely that Pochettino would give someone like Erik Lamela or Lucas Moura the chance to play as a false nine instead of going with either Janssen or Llorente. That really tells you all you need to know. If Pochettino is willing to completely change his tactics to accommodate a different striker, it’s obvious he sees no value in the more conventional choices.

As such, Spurs should feel free to jettison both Llorente and Janssen this summer. Neither has any real value to Pochettino this season. If Harry Kane suffers an injury the club will change tactics rather than give either player a chance to come back into the team. Letting them both go would be best for the club’s wage bill and morale.