Martin Jol thinks Tottenham are making a mistake over striker

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Martin Jol has told Football London that Tottenham Hotspur are making a mistake in letting Fernando Llorente leave this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the month.

Llorente, 34, managed 35 appearances in all competitions for Spurs during 2018-19, including a substitute appearance in the Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.

He found the back of the net eight times, two of which were crucial goals in the Champions League knockout stages. However, after two years and 66 appearances at Spurs, he is set to leave the club on a free.

But former Tottenham manager Jol questioned why Spurs would get rid of the 2010 World Cup winner, claiming that the north London club will not find a better striker willing to act as back-up to Harry Kane.

“How many massive stars will go to Spurs to be a back-up for Kane? It’s ridiculous. You won’t find them. You’ve got Llorente. Mention one back-up player who’s better than Llorente. There is no one,” Jol said.

TBR’s view

Llorente is a more than adequate back-up, but Jol is wrong in that Spurs will struggle to attract better back-up.

Manchester City have Gabriel Jesus, Liverpool have Divock Origi, Manchester United have Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea boast Olivier Giroud. All four are arguably better than £75k-a-week (Spotrac) Llorente.

Spurs are right to offload Llorente, but owner Daniel Levy must give Mauricio Pochettino a fair amount of money to replace the Spaniard.