For the first time since March 2023, Tottenham Hotspur will be playing in the Champions League tonight and looking to kickstart their European campaign with a win.
The Lilywhites enter the clash against Villarreal in excellent form, winning three of the four Premier League games since Thomas Frank took the reins during the off-season.
He will be looking to build on the club’s recent impressive form in Europe, with the side currently on a 20-game unbeaten run at home - dating back to the 7-2 triumph over Maccabi Haifa in October 2020.
Frank’s men are taking on Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side, who, like the Lilywhites, have only lost once to date in 2025/26, with such a defeat coming in the recent clash with Atlético Madrid at the weekend.
However, if the Dane is to extend such an impressive European record against the Yellow Submarine, he may need to drop one player from his starting eleven tonight.
Why Frank may need to drop Kudus against Villarreal
Mohammed Kudus joined Spurs in a £55m transfer from West Ham United this summer, looking to add further quality to the first team’s attacking department.
The Ghanaian made an immediate impact for his new outfit on the opening day of the new campaign, registering two assists in the triumph over Burnley in North London.
However, in the three games since, the 25-year-old has failed to manage a single goal or assist, with the likes of Lucas Bergvall outperforming the right-winger.
Despite his lack of tangible success, he did manage to thrive against his former employers last weekend, notching the most chances created and dribbles completed of any player on the pitch.
It has been an impressive start to life for the Lilywhites for Kudus, but he may be dropped from the side ahead of the meeting with LaLiga side later this evening.
The Spurs player who could be their next Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is a household name to many fans around Europe, which is understandable, given his impressive form for both Spurs and Real Madrid throughout his career.
The Welshman started out as a left-back in the early days of his career, but rapidly transitioned into a winger - especially after his display against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Back in 2010, Bale’s Lilywhites career catapulted into life after he netted a second-half hat-trick at the San Siro - a feat that catapulted him to huge stardom in North London.
His superb display made him a fan-favourite with the fanbase, allowing him to be a consistent figure within the first-team side after a stop-start first few years in the capital.
Such a situation could be repeated by his compatriot Brennan Johnson, with the winger having the ability to replicate his success in this year’s Champions League campaign.
The Welshman, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has already showcased his talents for the Lilywhites - netting 18 goals in all competitions last campaign, including the winner against Manchester United in the Europa League final.
The 24-year-old has also made an impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign, scoring twice in his first four outings and more than deserving of a start in the Champions League.
Despite his impressive record, he’s followed a similar route to success to his compatriot, struggling to make an immediate impact after his £47.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest.
Johnson was subject to huge abuse 12 months ago, leading to the attacker deactivating his social media accounts, but it’s safe to say he’s silenced his doubters.
However, adding a Champions League goal or two to his record could be the perfect platform to allow him to cement his place in the side and lead Frank’s men to new heights.
Whilst it would be a somewhat harsh decision to drop Kudus from the starting eleven, Johnson is more than deserving of a recall - especially considering his recent goalscoring tally in 2025/26.
If the 24-year-old can match Bale’s feat in Europe’s most competitive competition, he will certainly have the platform to build on and take his career to new heights in North London.