Ranking Tottenham's Attacking Options on Their Goal Threat

Tottenham focused much of their offseason energy on resolving their defensive deficiencies. 

In replacing Younes Kaboul, Vlad Chiriches and Kyle Naughton (sold in January) with Kevin Wimmer, Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier, Spurs substantially upgraded their options at the back. 

Not only was the first-choice back line improved, but the options in reserve are now substantially stronger than they were. 

Defending was Tottenham's greatest weakness last season, but they weren't especially effective at the other end of the pitch. 

In a busy season, Tottenham racked up 91 goals in all competitions. 

By comparison, Liverpool managed 74 goals, and their two most-prolific scorers—Raheem Sterling and penalty king Steven Gerrard—have left the club. 

That goal return placed Spurs with the fifth-most prolific attack in the Premier League as they finished the season in the same position on the table. 

Of course, Tottenham played more matches than most—57 in total—so their average of roughly 1.5 goals per game is less impressive than the headlines number. 

Harry Kane scored scored 21 of the club's 58 goals in a remarkable season, while Christian Eriksen (10) and Nacer Chadli (11) also contributed heavily. 

After addressing problems at the back, Spurs turned their attention forward. 

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The signings of Heung-Min Son and Clinton Njie—as well as the belated arrival of January signing Dele Alli—provide new options. 

Kane remains their most important attacking player. 

Dangerous from distance, strong enough to dominate opposition defenders in one-on-one situations and effective in the air, Kane is well-rounded enough to always be a threat. 

His most valuable trait is his intelligence.

In terms of both his movement and his vision, he is the smartest striker in the Premier League. 

He has been unable to score so far this season, but it is assuredly a matter of when and not if he returns to the regular scorer he was last season. 

Chadli and Son are clearly the next most important players in terms of scoring goals. 

Both enjoyed relatively prolific seasons in 2014-15, scoring 11 league goals each, and both will be looking to raise their output in this campaign.

Each of Tottenham's first-choice front three now offer different threats. 

Chadli's strength and anticipation make him a consistent threat, while his ability to drift into a central role means he will always have chances to score. 

Son's pace and single-mindedness mean that opposition sides will be loathe to defend him one-on-one. His ability to make space for a shot is remarkable, and he will demand attention that will free up his team-mates. 

Son and Chadli are both capable ersatz strikers, and that capacity will allow Kane to drop off and play in a strict, creative role on occasion. Kane excels in this role but has lacked the team-mates to do it consistently. He no longer has that problem. 

That trio combines pace, strength and intelligence. So Spurs will rarely be unable to find a way through as long as they aren't swamped in midfield. 

Crucial to the effectiveness of that attacking line, though, is Eriksen. 

The little Dane benefited from more than his fair share of fortune last season as he racked up the goals, but his greatest strength is in creation. 

The addition of Son—and his understudy, Njie—means Eriksen now has a genuine target for the through balls that so often marked out his play with Ajax. 

Passes played beyond the defensive line allow quick, clever players great opportunities to score, and Eriksen will regularly test the opposition. 

Another player seemingly bound to be a regular scorer is Dele Alli. 

Still so young, Alli's talent is astonishing. His brief cameos for Tottenham have perhaps raised expectations unfairly, but he seems worthy of the hype that accompanied his signing last winter. 

Alli has already scored once and shows a drive that is rare and highly valued. 

None of Spurs' central midfield options—Moussa Dembele, Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason or Eric Dier—have been prolific so far. But each can certainly pose a threat. 

Spurs also possess dangerous attacking options in less likely positions. 

The first-choice back line of Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose are all capable scorers. 

The Belgians are powerful at set pieces and more than capable with the ball at their feet, while the full-backs benefit from the freedom of Mauricio Pochettino's system. 

Ahn Young-joon/Associated Press

Rose scored four times last season, and both he and Walker are vital to Tottenham's attacking formula. They won't score often—Rose racked up four goals last term—but they will consistently threaten the opposition with their pace and force the opposition to keep an eye on them.

Of the players outside the first-team conversation, Alex Pritchard looms as a potentially prolific player. He scored 12 times in the Championship last season, on loan at Brentford, and showed a range of skills that will make him a real threat if he gets a chance to play. 

Erik Lamela remains a conundrum. A scorer of brilliant goals, Lamela's performances so far this season have been woeful. 

There is little reason to believe that he will be able to unseat any of Son, Kane or Chadli. Certainly not before Njie gets an opportunity. 

The Europa League and cup competitions will be the most likely venue for the likes of Lamela and Pritchard to force their way into the first team. 

Kane showed last season just how effective that can be. So prolific was he that Pochettino was forced to find a place for him in the side. 

Tottenham's hopes for this season rest fundamentally on their capacity to stop the opposition, but they must find more goals than last term. 

Their first-choice attacking options are unlikely to be sufficient to spark a Champions League push, but the combination of Son and Chadli taking pressure off Kane could see him enjoy another brilliant season. 

With luck, that could be enough in a Premier League season that is almost certain to be defined by a greater parity than ever before. 

The quality of the middling sides has been raised substantially, so Spurs' varied attacking options could see them enjoy more consistent scoring than their rivals.