Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has led the Lilywhites to a pretty promising start so far this season, but one internal decision has sparked some debate.
Thomas Frank averaging close to 2 points per game at Spurs
Following their gritty 2-1 win over Leeds United just prior to the international break, Frank has averaged close to 2 points per game over his first 11 games at Spurs so far.
Ex-chairman Daniel Levy's controversial decision to axe former boss Ange Postecoglou, who guided them to their first major trophy in 17 years last season, looks vindicated as the Australian endures a torrid time at new side Nottingham Forest.
As Postecoglou struggles to chalk up his first Forest win after replacing Nuno Espírito Santo, with reports suggesting that Tricky Trees owner Evangelos Marinakis is considering his unceremonious sacking already, Frank's tenure in North London has been very positive by contrast.
While some concerns surrounded their performances against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, with Tottenham rescuing dramatic draws against the two teams they were expected to beat comfortably, Frank has certainly solidified what was a fragile-looking Spurs side.
Only Premier League leaders Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than Tottenham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace over the first top flight games of 25/26, and Spurs' performance at Leeds was built upon their newly-found resilience as a unit.
Tottenham ended the Yorkshire side's year-long unbeaten run at home in the league by overcoming Daniel Farke and co at Elland Road, whilst also ending their torrid record of seven consecutive defeats in games just before an international break.
Frank is undoubtedly making his mark at N17, with the Dane also deciding his leadership group to spearhead Spurs through a long campaign where they'll be competing on multiple fronts.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who have been called one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football, are among the chosen leaders, with long-serving defender Ben Davies, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and playmaker James Maddison making up rest of the five.
However, pundit John Wenham has been left shocked by a key omission from the group.
Pundit "surprised" by key Thomas Frank decision at Tottenham
Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham believes that right-back Pedro Porro should be in there.
The Spaniard, who's played the fifth most league minutes out of any Tottenham player under Frank, has also made more clearances per 90 on average than all of his teammates in the top flight this season (WhoScored).
The 26-year-old has attracted criticism at times, but he was a solid candidate for the leadership group, with Wenham left "surprised" by Frank's decision not to include Porro given the defender was captained for the very first time against Doncaster Rovers.
“I was slightly surprised that Porro was omitted from the leadership team,” Wenham said.
“He had captained Tottenham, I think it was against Doncaster, and then the announcement was literally a week later, when he wasn’t in a group of five.
“Joao Palhinha naturally is a leader, and he’s only on loan, so it’d be a bit of a disappointment, maybe to the other players that are permanently here, if he came in and was instantly part of that. But I think he knows that he’s a leader already.
“The other one is probably quite disappointed, is Rodrigo Bentancur. Looking at his age and where he is in his career, but he can’t have otherwise, we’d just say we’ve got a leadership team and it consists of nine players or something. It’s madness.”
The former Sporting CP star, who was originally signed to slot into former boss Antonio Conte's wing-back system, has gone on to make 116 appearances in all competitions.
His flair as an attack-minded full-back has seen Porro rack up 22 total assists for the club, including a sumptuous cross for van de Ven to head home against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League most recently — which eventually helped to prevent a humbling defeat in Norway.