Omar Marmoush can at least do what Dominic Solanke was supposed to
Omar Marmoush was not able to score or assist for Tottenham Hotspur in their otherwise dominant 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, but he was not the only midfielder or attacker who failed to make their mark on the final score line directly with both goals coming from headers by right back Archie Gray and star center back Jan Paul van Hecke.
But while many Tottenham fans were a bit underwhelmed by Marmoush even in the 10 role behind Dominic Solanke, there is no question that he was a superior player to Big Dom and has been the better player of the two when looking at their all around play.
With James Maddison presumably ready to resume being the starting No. 10 next weekend against underdogs Leeds United, Roberto De Zerbi will be back to choosing directly between Solanke and Marmoush for the starting striker job. And between the two of them, even if neither are really bringing the goals, Marmoush has earned himself a pretty clear advantage over the incumbent starter.
Omar Marmoush can at least destabilize the defense
Even though Solanke signed with Tottenham Hotspur for a whopping 65 million pounds from AFC Bournemouth after registering a career high 19 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League season, he came into Spurs with more of a reputation for being an all around striker rather than a top scorer.
But the thing is, Dominic Solanke isn't actually a good all around striker at all for Tottenham. He isn't creating chances, assisting goals, or beating his man. He does none of it, and he does none of it while still not scoring goals, which hurts everyone around him, including the wingers.
Omar Marmoush, on the other hand, at least creates and beats his man. Whereas Solanke had one key pass and no dribbles completed against Crystal Palace when Tottenham totally dominated the Eagles as a team with multiple players with at least three key passes, at least Marmoush came in guns blazing with three dribbles completed and three key passes.
On the season, Marmoush is averaging 0.9 key passes and 2.1 dribbles completed per game. Solanke is averaging 0.4 key passes and 0.2 dribbles completed per game. Marmoush is a great dribbling striker and a respectable passer. Solanke is one of the worst dribblers around and a below average passer. When the equation is boiled down there, at least Marmoush is making others better and doing what Solanke was supposedly signed by Daniel Levy to do for Spurs.
