31 May 2017 13:25:19
Hello Ed001 et al., I'm a Chelsea fan, but I've watched a lot of our youth team in the last few years (and I'm mates with a few of them still there, or that have been there) so I thought I'd give you something of a rundown of what to expect from Dominic Solanke.
I've spoken to the guy before briefly, but not much and I don't know how true the paper reports about the behind the scenes fallout with him and Chelsea are. What I can tell you about is his strengths and weaknesses as a player however, which I hope will be fairly useful.
If I was to rate him as a prospect overall, it'd probably be a 7/ 10. I think he'll be a very decent player, but at the same time I think he'll never be a top world class player. In our youth teams, his scoring record was always sensational, but he did benefit massively from two things. Firstly, he had arguably three of our best youth players supplying him in the Youth CL and Youth FA Cup, as well as U18 and U21 level in Jeremie Boga, Charly Musonda and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The former two created so many chances due to their technical skill being miles above most others in their age group, the latter because he was physically ahead of everyone else. This physical advantage is something Solanke shares, he is very powerful for his age, he's tall without being gangly and he uses his body well. However, he did struggle with asserting himself last season on loan at Vitesse when he was up against more experienced centre backs, who were liable to give him a good shove or kicking early on, and he didn't find space as easily as at youth level.
He's not especially fast, but he has a good turn of pace and his positioning is very good, he knows where to go to get goals. His best attribute in my view is his finishing, by far. He's comfortable on the right and left foot, and good in the air and at youth level has been very clinical. If you give him say three chances in a youth game, I'd wager he'd score at least one of them. He handles pressure well, being a nominated penalty taker for our youth sides and for England's youth outfits and technically his finishes are precise and powerful. Inside the eighteen-yard box, he is deadly. His incredible 2014/ 15 youth season saw him named our Academy POTY, when he scored something like thirty-four goals in thirty six appearances.
Now onto his weaknesses, which I think have held him back and ultimately led to Abraham overtaking him in development terms. Solanke is at times very lazy. By this, I mean he contributes very little to build-up play, struggles to hold up the ball and often his passes do go astray. This was again a main criticism during his Vitesse loan spell, he couldn't play as a sole striker which their system relied upon him doing. To his credit, he has tried to work on these skills, diversifying himself as a wide midfielder and inside forward this season, but he clearly needs a lot more time on it. His first touch is also very erratic, at times brilliant and other times he can't trap a beachball. Solanke also did at times give off the undesirable attitude of 'can't be bothered', and this has probably been his biggest downfall at Chelsea. He's clearly demanded stuff the club weren't willing to provide him and he did refuse a loan spell this season- something which Abraham snapped up gleefully. He isn't one of the hardest working players in training, and several youth team managers have been willing to let that slide because of his goal-scoring ratio, but I could hardly see Jurgen Klopp or Antonio Conte willing to make such compromises. His fitness has also been an issue, with some niggly ankle injuries, and less than desirable commitment to rehabilitation.
So why has Solanke not broken through yet? To an extent, I'll admit it's an issue at Chelsea and more youth prospects should come through, but that's a whole other essay. If you had asked me three seasons ago, I'd have said he'd be a first team rotation player by now. But alas, natural progression has seen Abraham (whom I think has a higher potential anyway) overtake him, but at the same time he seems to have decided he has outgrown youth football. Solanke is clearly very talented, but it'll be interesting to see if your manager can get him to put the ego to one side and start working for the team rather than himself. If I was to predict, I think he'll be a solid premier league fifteen-goals-a-season striker, but not a title-winning centre forward. I do think comparing him and Abraham will be very interesting (especially if the latter gets a PL loan next year) as it could be a case that Tammy turns out to be what Solanke could have been if he'd tried a bit harder.
Hope you've learnt something from this guys, any feedback or questions is appreciated and welcomed.

1.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 13:35:12
Thanks for the info CFCForever
I can't see him realistically becoming a first team player with us. Just have a feeling he'll end being one of those youngster similiar to K. Stewart, Illori, Markovic etc.
I think it would of been best for him to go make his name with a Championship club or lower level Prem team.

2.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 13:42:21
Thanks for the insight pal!

3.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 13:50:13
That's epic mate, thanks a million. I do hope the change of scenery and Klopp's influence can get the lad training and working hard and we see him get a chance to bang a few in for us sooner rather than later. A natural good finisher is one of the things we actually need.

4.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 14:51:50
Thanks for the feedback. Good signs he's got a decent scoring record at all levels. He's obviously got a lot of work to do as most do at 19. It's whether he'll get a chance to prove himself that makes it a little strange choice to sign him.

5.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 18:06:53
Thanks for your insight mate.

6.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 19:27:48
Cheers lad.

His success or failure will depend on what he's got between his ears. If he listens to people like Sterling listened to - he will fail. If he listens to the likes of Hendo and Lucas he will succeed.
He has potential, he needs to stay humble and work hard.

7.) 31 May 2017
31 May 2017 21:49:23
Thanks for taking the time to post here CFC.
Can't see Klopp tolerating a lax work ethic, but I'd expect Solanke's aware of that and the things he'll need to do. Often a change of environment helps people re-evaluate themselves; he's young enough to learn.