Thomas Frank’s tenure as Tottenham Hotspur manager got off to the perfect start back in August, as he won each of his first two Premier League games in charge.
The Dane collected wins against Burnley and Manchester City, with the latter being away from home, showcasing the excellent work he conducted during his first few weeks.
However, the last few weeks haven’t been plain sailing for the 52-year-old in charge of the Lilywhites, subsequently winning just one of the last seven games in England’s top-flight.
His side have subsequently dropped into the bottom half of the table, which could even lead to a repeat of last season’s dismal finish under Ange Postecoglou.
With the January transfer market now approaching on the horizon, the board have the chance to back the manager in the market to help him in his quest for success in North London.
Spurs keen on a move for a UCL superstar
Over the last few weeks, Spurs have been on the hunt for a new winger, subsequently leading them to Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, but competition is high for his signature.
Fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest, with the player leaning towards a switch to either one of the aforementioned clubs.
It’s been reported that the Ghanaian international currently has a £65m release clause in his contract until the 10th of January, with any interested party needing to act quickly to secure his services.
As a result, the Lilywhites have been hunting for other alternatives, subsequently leading them back to Rodrygo after previously wanting to land the Brazilian in the summer.
According to TEAMtalk, Frank’s men have 'looked at' signing the winger ahead of January, but it’s unclear if Real Madrid would be willing to sanction a move in the winter.
The report doesn’t state whether a move would be a temporary or permanent one, but it could hand Frank the added attacking reinforcements he’s been craving in recent times.
Why Rodrygo would be Frank’s own answer to Semenyo
There’s no doubt that a deal for Semenyo would improve the options within the Spurs attacking third, which in turn could allow the club to rise up the Premier League table.
He’s already featured against the Lilywhites this campaign, helping the Cherries win 1-0 in North London, and showcasing what Frank’s side are missing out on.
However, it’s evident that the player has his heart set on a move to Manchester, which could see him torment the Lilywhites in the Premier League for many years to come.
£65m would be an excellent fee given his tally of eight goals and three assists to date, but ultimately, other targets are now having to be considered in the coming weeks.
However, during the next meeting, Frank could have his own version of the attacker in the form of Rodrygo - with the Brazilian possessing many similarities to Semenyo.
Like the Ghanaian international, he can operate in either wide position in the final third, either cutting inside off the left or driving across goal with his stronger right foot.
However, his underlying stats too showcase his talents, with many of which make him an excellent option for the Lilywhites for the second half of the campaign.
Rodrygo, who’s been dubbed “one of the best wingers in the world” by Spencer Mossman, has completed 90% of his passes this season, whilst also creating 2.1 chances in the process.
Both tallies rank him in the top 15% of all players in LaLiga to date, showcasing the excellent attacking option Frank’s men would be getting in the January transfer window.
He’s also completed 2.1 successful dribbles and notched 1.3 shots on target per 90, subsequently showcasing the threat he carries with the ball at his feet.
The Real Madrid talent has registered 8.3 touches in the opposition box per 90, whilst winning possession back 1.4 times per 90 in the final third - arguably being the perfect all-round attacker.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the player himself would be open to a switch to North London, but it’s evident that Rodrygo would be a phenomenal addition this winter.
Missing out on Semenyo will likely be a bitter blow for Frank and the supporters, but if a deal is reached for the Brazilian in the weeks ahead - all will certainly be forgotten.