Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs urged to seal Krzysztof Piatek transfer by ESPN pundit Steve Nicol

ESPN pundit and former footballer Steve Nicol thinks AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek could be ‘the answer’ for Spurs should they choose to source an additional centre-forward following the injury to Harry Kane which has threatened to overshadow the England captain’s campaign.

Piatek, who has been linked with a move to north London in recent weeks (as per Daily Mail), has lost his starting place at the San Siro. Spurs have endured a dry spell of late, particularly since Kane’s hamstring injury, which has occurred during a run of just two wins in their last eight matches across all competitions. With just eight goals scored during that time, Nicol told ESPN FC that Piatek’s previous bursts of form would make him a fine addition to the Spurs side – despite the Polish striker scoring only five times for Milan this season.

He said: “It looks like this guy goes in somewhere and sets it on fire for a period of time. Let’s be honest, that’s what Spurs are looking for, because right now, the choices are Lucas Moura [and] Heung-min Son, who are not centre-forwards. This guy’s a centre-forward, but he’s a poacher. He’s not Harry Kane, he’s not a guy who is going to do things outside the box, but right now, to me, Spurs need a poacher, in my opinion. [In the] short-term, I think he would be the answer.”

While Nicol rather fairly references Piatek’s starts at Genoa (13 goals in his first 19 league games) and Milan (eight goals in his first 11 Rossoneri Serie A appearances), for the Pole to flourish at Spurs this season perhaps relies on the notion that he specialises in settling down quickly at a new club.

Although that would not bode well in the long-term (hence Nicol’s suggestion that he may only be a short-term success), if his slightly fanciful theory is correct, Spurs would almost certainly profit, such has been the dearth of attacking prowess on display in recent weeks for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Piatek’s current quiet run of goalscoring form certainly seems out of character judging by his performances across the last few seasons, while it is hard to deny that a change of scenery has not worked out for him recently, either.

His record of five strikes in 2019/20 suggests it may be something of a gamble for Mourinho, though with Spurs hardly improving since Kane was ruled out with injury, it may be one that is worth taking as they continue to search for a relatively successful second half of the season.

Spurs fans, can Piatek save your season? Share your thoughts below!