Arsenal favourite Nicklas Bendtner has explained why he thinks Thomas Frank is struggling at Tottenham Hotspur.
Frank ended his long spell at Brentford to join Spurs in June. Tottenham have had an up and down time under the Dane’s orders, winning 10 of their 25 matches so far. This includes six league wins and three in the Champions League.
Bendtner, who spent 10 years at Arsenal between 2004 and 2014, spoke to Stolpe Ind about the Tottenham boss. Indkast have relayed his comments.
According to the Arsenal favourite, Spurs haven’t enjoyed a good run this season partly due to injuries and their summer signings failing to regularly impress.
He believes the Europa League winners tried to replicate the Brentford model at the north London club.
“I think the problem is the DNA that was laid out at the beginning. And the way we could see how the Brentford project was brought into Tottenham. The transfers that were made and were super exciting. Xavi Simons, for example. They’ve all fallen through,” he said.
“There is no one who delivers at a particularly high level. At the same time that we have injuries to these top three of their best players, I would say: Kulusevski, Maddison and Solanke. But the way they are losing is what looks really bad.”
Tottenham have two wins in their last eight matches and three in last 11. This includes only one win in the Premier League against Brentford. The ex-Arsenal man has questioned the north London club’s process to appoint Frank.
“I also think they must have had discussions about these things before hiring him,” Bendtner explained.
“Someone must have said: ‘We have this squad, and we can do this. I can help you with this, and I can’t promise you anything, but we have to go this way.’ And then they come out afterwards and stab him in the back. I think it seems poorly handled.”
Spurs are currently 11th in the table. Earlier this month, Danish pundit Niels Christian had warned Frank about his position at Tottenham.
The former Arsenal frontman has used Frank’s work at Brentford to send a message to Spurs.
“He has been instrumental in making Ivan Toney into Ivan Toney. Mbeumo into Mbeumo and our Danish players Jensen, Nørgaard and Damsgaard – implementing them in important roles on the Brentford team. He has done some great things over there,” he added.