Ex-Spurs boss is the leading candidate to replace Pierre Sage at Selhurst Park
Sam Tabuteau, Sports Reporter
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Thomas Frank is the frontrunner to take over from Pierre Sage as Crystal Palace manager.
The Dane has been out of work since stepping away from football following his departure from Tottenham in February.
Frank was on Palace’s shortlist over the summer as they looked for a replacement for Oliver Glasner, but they instead opted to bring in Sage following a successful spell with Ligue 1 side Lens.
Just 10 games into the new season, though, Sage is expected to leave Palace with the club rock bottom of the Premier League table heading into the international break.
A succession plan is already under way, with Frank at the top of a long list of potential candidates to take over at Selhurst Park.
Despite a disastrous eight-month period at Spurs - leaving the club sitting just above the relegation zone - Frank is still well regarded from his time at Brentford and is viewed as an experienced Premier League operator.
Should Frank take charge at Palace, he will likely need reinforcements in January and could look to raid his former club to steer the Eagles away from the relegation zone.
With that in mind, Standard Sport has identified three Spurs players Palace could look at if Frank takes the reins.
Conor Gallagher
Brought in from Atletico Madrid last January as Frank desperately looked to bolster his midfield options after Rodrigo Bentancur underwent hamstring surgery, Gallagher’s return to the Premier League has not gone quite as well as he would have hoped.
The former Chelsea man chose Spurs over Aston Villa not only because of a desire to return to London and a healthy wage packet but also to put himself in contention for England’s World Cup squad.
Instead, the midfielder became embroiled in a messy relegation battle and was, for a period, a lightning rod for criticism due to his limited capabilities in possession.
Gallagher played an important role for Roberto De Zerbi towards the end of last season but has seen his minutes limited this term following the arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
A return to Palace, where he enjoyed arguably his most productive season as a professional on loan from Chelsea in 2021/22, would make sense for both parties.
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Spurs, though, are said to be reluctant to part ways with the 26-year-old.
Crystal Palace connection: Conor Gallagher previously thrived on loan at Selhurst Park
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Marcos Senesi
Another player Spurs would ideally want to keep hold of is centre-back Marcos Senesi, who only joined the club in the summer on a free transfer from Bournemouth.
De Zerbi was keen to bring Senesi to north London because of his ability to play out from the back, but the Argentine has so far seen his minutes restricted with Dutch duo Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke Spurs’ first-choice centre-back pairing.
Senesi is a good tactical fit and provides important cover for Spurs, but his desire to play regularly could be tested if Palace come in with an offer when the January window opens.
Palace have not suitably replaced Maxence Lacroix or Marc Guehi, so a new centre-back would likely be a priority for Frank, who instigated Spurs’ initial interest in Senesi.
Exiled: Richarlison is not in Tottenham’s Premier League squad this season
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Richarlison
Spurs’ top goalscorer last season has been banished from the first team after failing to force a move away from the club over the summer.
The Brazilian has been training with the Under-21s and played and scored in their 2-2 EFL Trophy draw against Cheltenham last month.
Spurs will be desperate to sanction a move for Richarlison in January, and while a return to Brazil has been mooted, Palace could provide him with an opportunity to stay in the Premier League.
As Standard Sport reported, all options are on the table for Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, and if the Frenchman was to leave, Palace would potentially be left looking for cover for Jorgen Strand Larsen.
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