I don't understand the people who are happy to go into the season with just two strikers. It's awful management to base our club's entire season on Kane remaining fit and on form. Because the suggestion that any one striker - whether it's Ings or Benteke - would allow us to successfully challenge in at least three competitions (which is a bare minimum in my eyes) is just delusional. And it's too important a position to be relying on midfielders "filling in".
With the expectation that we actually intend to challenge in all four competitions, and playing the kind of system we are currently, we need two "first choice" strikers, at least one of whom is capable of playing in the hole, so they can play together if the situation calls for it. You also need either a younger striker, or a quality veteran willing to spend time on the bench (as cover).
Anything else... the "oh don't worry, Chadli can fill in" argument, or the "it's literally impossible that Kane won't be fit and scoring 30 goals next season" fantasy... they all take stupidly unnecessary risks with our season. Risks that can be pretty easily avoided. And they also miss a pretty important point... Pochettino clearly agrees with the three striker strategy. We started this season with three of them... two first choice strikers (Adebayor and Soldado) to challenge for the starting spot, and a youngster who would hopefully allow for some rotation (Kane). The fact that both Soldado and Ade failed to turn up wasn't exactly part of the manager's plan. He didn't intend to rely on a 22 year old unproven striker for damn near every goal. The fact that Kane was good enough to step up saved our year. But it was hardly guaranteed.
I see no reason why Pochettino is going to change his previous philosophy just because we got lucky last year. I'm pretty sure he will buy a genuine competitor for Kane's position, and we will also have a third striker, whether it's a promotion from the Academy or a youngster / veteran we bring in. We started last year with 3 strikers. I'll take an even-money bet with anyone that we start with at least three next season (one of whom - like Kane last August - probably won't be expected to get much playing time in the premier league).
It's unlikely to be Benteke - because he'll cost too much and there will be other teams in for him that can offer better wages (IMO). And it's unlikely to be Ings because he seems pretty set on going to Liverpool for some reason (wouldn't be my choice of destination if I were a football player right now; I think they could be in for a tough couple of seasons with Gerrard leaving - he was a shadow of his former self on the field this year, but I suspect he still played a major role in holding a fairly fractious squad together... it could all unravel at Liverpool next season unless they bring in a top quality manager).
If I had to guess, I think we might bring in Lambert as the third choice striker. If he's willing to do the travelling to Georgia and Warsaw, play in the league cup and get some premier league time as a substitute when we're already two up... then I can see it happening. As for the guy who will be challenging Kane? No idea. Probably someone we've not even be linked with yet.
