Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is in danger of repeating a fatal Ange Postecoglou mistake as new co-sporting director Fabio Paratici looks to spare his blushes.
Thomas Frank given clear Tottenham issues to solve as unbeaten streak ends
Last Sunday, Unai Emery's Aston Villa stole all three points from a Spurs side who seriously lacked cutting edge in the final third.
The Lilywhites looked to be in dreamland when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock, but they failed to press their advantage and allowed Villa a route back into the game.
Wonder strikes from Morgan Rogers, who is reportedly on Tottenham's radar as a transfer target, and Emiliano Buendia ended Spurs' brief unbeaten streak that was largely down to the grit and resilience of their defence.
It took two deflected efforts from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus to hand the north Londoners a scrappy 2-1 win at Leeds just prior to the international break, while Frank's men only just managed to escape from Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League with a draw after late drama.
The same can be said for their previous Premier League home game against bottom side Wolves, with summer signing Joao Palhinha's side-footed screamer in added time ultimately sparing their blushes against inferior opposition.
While there is a case to be made that Spurs have displayed a solidarity which was largely absent from Postecoglou's final season in charge, concerns surround their lack of creative spark.
Summer signing Xavi Simons has also been criticised for his lack of goal involvement since joining from RB Leipzig, in a deal which could cost Tottenham a whopping £125 million if he stays for the length of his potential seven-year contract (Paul O'Keefe).
James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain out for Spurs too, as Frank looks to solve their central creativity problem, but that is something new director Paratici could assist with.
Paratici, after months of reports linking him with a return to N17, was confirmed as the club's co-sporting director last week, and he'll be working alongside Johan Lange as the pair take on the same title with two different roles.
Lange is responsible for the data-driven recruitment side of things, including scouting, while Paratici is Tottenham's 'dealmaker', who'll be tasked with getting big-money signings over the line (Michael Bridge).
Paratici's new 'major priority' as Frank looks to avoid fatal Ange mistake at Tottenham
As relayed by TEAMtalk, signing a "difference-maker" in the engine room, one who can link defence to attack, is rapidly becoming a "major priority" for Paratici at Tottenham.
Man United's Kobbie Mainoo, Rangers star Nicolas Raskin and Crystal Palace sensation Adam Wharton are apparently three options on their radar ahead of 2026, with Frank looking not to repeat one of his predecessors' fatal errors.
So far, Bentancur and Joao Palhinha have impressed individually since the start of this season, especially the latter, who's been their star man since joining from Bayern Munich on loan with a £26 million option to buy.
However, the pair arguably struggle to influence the creative side of things as deep-lying, tough-tackling anchors — even if they did link up for Tottenham's opener against Villa.
Much like how Postecoglou often deployed one of Yves Bissouma or Pape Sarr with Bentancur last term, Frank appears to be replicating that ineffective mistake with Palhinha and the latter this time around.
It is a tough conundrum for Frank to solve, as Palhinha is essentially undroppable right now, and Bentancur has equally proved his worth at times. However, as a pairing, they may not offer enough going forward.
Raskin is in the final two years of his contract and reports suggest that Rangers could sell him for around £20-25 million in January, so the Belgian could be an option to partner Palhinha in Frank's midfield.
Mainoo, whose deal also expires in 2027, could well entertain a January move considering his lack of game time under Ruben Amorim and the World Cup looming next year.