Matt Le Tissier has graded Tottenham attacker Fernando Llorente just a 4/10 for his performances so far in the 2017/18 season.
The powerful centre-forward joined Spurs in the summer from Swansea and was added to the squad to provide cover for talisman Harry Kane.
He is an experienced player with a huge trophy cabinet including a World Cup medal, but has been unable to make the desired impact of the north London club.
The 32-year-old Spaniard has made 22 appearances across all competitions this season, with the large share coming from the bench, and scored just two goals in return.
Spurs struggled last season too with their back-up option as Vincent Janssen managed just six goals all season before being loaned out to Fenerbahce.
Sky Sports pundit Le Tissier has delivered a brutal verdict on Llorente’s efforts at the mid-way point of the season and graded his influence as a 4/10.
“I don’t think he’s been a raging success but I think he was always going to be a fill-in for Harry Kane when he needed a rest and is a slight upgrade on Vincent Janssen,” he told Sky Sports.
OPINION
It is extremely difficult for any player to act as a secondary striker to Kane as they must seize on any small opportunities they get. The goal machine has struck 26 times in 27 games so far this campaign and there is no chance of him being dislodged from Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI anytime soon. However, the impact of Llorente has certainly disappointed and he has struggled to influence games when involved. He offers Spurs a different threat with his aerial prowess and physical presence, but he has looked a long way off his best so far this campaign. Llorente scored 15 Premier League goals last season for a struggling Swansea team to prove he can be a danger in the top flight and needs to try rediscover his best form to avoid becoming the latest Spurs transfer flop.