Owen Hargreaves and Glenn Hoddle hailed Tottenham new boy Carlos Vinicius after he outshone Gareth Bale on his debut against LASK on Thursday night in the Europa League.
The 25-year-old Brazilian recorded two assists by setting up Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min as Spurs began their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 win against the Austrian side.
The striker could also have netted his first goal for the club in the opening ten minutes but fluffed his lines, but speaking to BT Sport after the game, Hargreaves insists he has seen enough to know Spurs have a quality replacement on the bench for England captain Harry Kane.
'You think about other players they have in there like Lucas or [Steven] Bergwijn, they want to play wide and they're quick and want to run in behind, Vinicius is comfortable with back to goal,' Hargreaves said.
'He had 18 goals in the league and eight assists in Portugal. He can be creative. That's not a reserve centre forward, the way he played today.
'He will be because Harry Kane's the best, but they have a really good player that when Kane needs a break he can step in.'
Former Spurs midfielder and manager Glenn Hoddle was also full of praise for the 'exciting' forward, who arrived in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Benfica with an option to buy for £36million.
'He's going to have to play against better players, but he looks to me as if he's a focal point, he's got ability and awareness as well. It's exciting to see this young kid play.
'This tournament will be his tournament. I think he'll play most of the games and the League Cup.
'Jose wants to win trophies. he doesn't care if he wins the League Cup, Europa League, whatever, he wants to win silverware.
'It's a club that needs it. That'll be a stepping stone to something bigger along the way.'
Spurs other goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came courtesy of an Andres Andrade own goal.
The LASK left-back diverted the ball into his own net after a cross from Bale, who was also making his first start for Spurs since joining from Real Madrid in the summer.
talip9
0
what a centre forward
Caleb66
0
Son Kane Vinicius up front and Ndombele, PEH & Lo Celso behind them. I believe they can score 3 to 7 goals per match. Tottenham already have 3 assist Kings and 2 most creative AMF with the best anchor man in PEM.
look at this formation....wht do u reckon......the line-up if Son gets injured
spartanspurs
1
he came to the right club, spurs will allow him to develop his talent like we did to so many players over the years
nedblry
0
what os that supposed to mean
other example of rumour of Manchester United
Heski-can-smd
0
This guy was once linked with Manchester United .Now he is at Tottenham.
what os that supposed to mean
Spursfan4lifeoffic
0
Son Kane Vinicius up front and Ndombele, PEH & Lo Celso behind them. I believe they can score 3 to 7 goals per match. Tottenham already have 3 assist Kings and 2 most creative AMF with the best anchor man in PEM.
PEH? Oh højberg
nedblry
0
This guy was once linked with Manchester United .Now he is at Tottenham.
Hewcnsyz
5
Son Kane Vinicius up front and Ndombele, PEH & Lo Celso behind them. I believe they can score 3 to 7 goals per match. Tottenham already have 3 assist Kings and 2 most creative AMF with the best anchor man in PEM.
Zeaadnrsz
0
well done...
AremuT
4
he was an unsung hero in the game
GeraldIfeanyi
1
he will be come more good and dangerous
maurice07
5
vinicius and Kane playing at same time can give more than 10 assists[100percent][100percent][100percent]
jayford
1
😂😂
pewabcdpsy
0
the young man is just awesome
Chelsea™4™Ever
3
Gareth bale to Carlos Vinicius right now