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Alasdair Gold: Why this ‘grumbling’ Tottenham star missed home loss to Bournemouth

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 5:17 PM ET

Dominic Solanke was not in the Tottenham squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday due to an ankle issue

Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten start to the new season came to an end on Saturday as they lost 1-0 to Bournemouth at home.

Spurs entered the game in high spirits after winning back-to-back games against Burnley and Manchester City. Thomas Frank’s side had a great opportunity to extend their winning run and climb to the top of the Premier League table. However, Bournemouth had other ideas as they brought the home side crashing down to earth.

Evanilson’s deflected first-half effort in the first turned out to be difference between the sides, handing Thomas Frank his first defeat of the Premier League game campaign. The Danish tactician had an attacking option less to bring on off the bench, as Richarlison was well marshalled by the Bournemouth centre-backs.

Dominic Solanke misses out with the ankle issue from the summer that's still giving him some discomfort. "Grumbling" in the words of Thomas Frank.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) August 30, 2025

Dominic Solanke missed the game due to ankle injury

Dominic Solanke had a mixed debut campaign at White Hart Lane following his £65million move from Bournemouth last summer. The striker netted 16 goals in all competitions but endured injury issues that hindered his progress.

The England international missed the majority of the pre-season with an ankle issue, which allowed Richarlison to stake a claim in the starting XI and he took the opportunity with both hands. The 27-year-old has had to be content with a role on the bench in the opening two Premier League games with Richarlison leading the Spurs attack, and the pattern was set to continue against Bournemouth too. While Richarlison started the game as expected, Solanke was nowhere to be found in the squad.

Football London journalist Alasdair Gold delivered an update on Solanke. He reported via his X account that the Spurs centre-forward missed the game against Bournemouth with an ankle injury- the issue from the summer which is still giving him some discomfort.

A cause for concern?

Solanke’s persistent ankle issues are becoming quite a worry now. The Englishman adds so much to the team when he is fully fit and running, but his minutes are becoming limited and that is quite frustrating for both the player and the head coach.

The ex-Bournemouth star has a good fitness record over the course of his career, but he has had several niggling issues with his ankle and a knee problem since the start of 2025, which will be a cause for concern for Frank. Not to forget, Richarlison has been injury prone since arriving at the club in 2022, and thus, he cannot be relied upon as well by Frank.

It remains to be seen how serious is Solanke’s injury is. With only a couple of days left in the transfer window, Frank must urge Daniel Levy to bring in a striker.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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