Thomas Frank has the opportunity to win silverware in his first competitive game as Tottenham head coach. Ahead of the team's Premier League opener against Burnley on Saturday, August 16, Spurs play PSG three days earlier in the UEFA Super Cup final as a result of their Europa League triumph.
Tottenham will then return to the Champions League the following month for the first time since the 2022/23 season. The format of Europe's premier competition has changed since their last appearance in the Champions League but they have already sampled it following their successful campaign in the new-look Europa League.
Spurs will be aiming to go as far as possible in the Champions League and hopefully spring a major surprise come the knockout phase. Key to that will be adding experience to the playing squad in the summer transfer window.
Having added youth to their numbers 12 months ago with Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert making the move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is vital that Tottenham add some experienced pros to Frank's playing staff to help them succeed in the Premier League and the cup competitions they will be competing in. New additions with Champions League experience is also a transfer priority for the club, something which Ange Postecoglou made clear after Tottenham's final game of the 2024/25 campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion.
"If we do some good business in the transfer market, obviously brings some experience in, I'm not talking about age, I'm talking about players who have played at this level and can help the team, then I've got no doubt we can make the impact we want," outlined Postecoglou.
He added: "Not just us but any club that gets into the Champions League, I think understands that. It's the most elite competition in Europe and it's a great demand.
"So yeah, I think every club that gets into the Champions League sees it as an opportunity to strengthen with experience is the right word, but players who have played at that level, who are going to be comfortable at that level, not players who are stepping up to that level. That's the difference."
Tottenham's current squad is not exactly blessed with a lot of Champions League expertise. In terms of the club's starting XI, the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Bergvall have never played in the competition.
The same applies to Brandon Austin, Djed Spence, Yang Min-hyeok, Ashley Phillips, Alejo Veliz, Mikey Moore, Dane Scarlett, Gray and Odobert. Antonin Kinsky has also not played in the Champions League proper but has instead featured in four qualifiers.
In terms of those who have played in the competition, Son Heung-min leads the way on 55 appearances, Rodrigo Bentancur is on 37 and Ben Davies is third on 27. Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Manor Solomon and Mathys Tel have each played Champions League football between 13 and 16 times.
Kevin Danso, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin and Pape Matar Sarr have played less than six games each in the competition, with the final two players on that list just managing a solitary appearance each. Aside from the eight players above who have played upwards of 13 Champions League games, there is a lack of know-how in the competition when you look at the Tottenham squad.
Signing players with Champions League experience is a priority for Tottenham this season. Postecoglou made his feelings on that subject clear in his final press conference as Tottenham boss and the club have to ensure his wish is granted for his successor Frank.