Fernando Llorente says he is happy to stay at the club despite struggling to find his form since his move from Swansea City.
When interviewed by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the 33-year-old said he hadn’t received any offers to return to Spain and expects to remain in London:
“I have no offers from any club in Spain or anywhere else and I will continue at Tottenham where I have one more year of contract. I am very happy at Tottenham. It is already my second year in England, the first was in Wales at Swansea and the truth is that it is a very positive experience.”
“I am learning English and little by little I am adapting. I am very happy with the Premier League. It’s a spectacular championship, with an impressive atmosphere and I’m very happy to be living this experience.”
Most fans on Twitter are hoping that the striker does depart this summer despite his comments:
Someone doesn’t know how to read a room I’m guessing
— Alex Miller (@alexross87) 20 June 2018
— Matt Zibanejadrad (@MatteenZiba) 20 June 2018
Give the man a proper pre season and let’s see what he can do.#COYS
— DIY Army ????⚽ ???? (@DIY_Army) 20 June 2018
we can just terminate his contract.
— Harps (@Harps1981) 20 June 2018
Surely we can ship him off to Turkey like our other dead weight ????????
— Christopher Jenkins (@JenkinsTHFC) 20 June 2018
I would rather take a hit and free up some space and wages.
— Harps (@Harps1981) 20 June 2018
Well he’s a decent backup, just needs a few extra goals.
— Z Spurs (@Z_Spurs_Canada) 20 June 2018
Like a squatter?
— Alex Kerrigan (@AlexKerrigan99) 20 June 2018
We thought (hoped) he’d be sold
— Mike Green (@greenmikegreen1) 20 June 2018
he’d be useless to keep in the squad – let’s hope they find a buyer or loan
— Mike Green (@greenmikegreen1) 20 June 2018
Live footage of Llorente in every Premier League game… pic.twitter.com/BPKnWHvg8D
— Max Rossiter (@Rossiter21) 20 June 2018
Verdict:
Signing another backup forward doesn’t seem to be one of our main priorities at the moment so I wouldn’t be surprised if Llorente does stay, despite talk of him leaving after a poor first season for us.
The Spaniard does offer something different in terms of his aerial ability, but it’s clear that he needs more game time to be an effective player. With Harry Kane ahead of him in the pecking order that is highly unlikely.
If he does remain, he’ll need to make more of the chances he is given off the bench or in cup competitions.