Thomas Frank added experience to a youthful squad this summer, but he still sees the growth of his younger players as a big part of his mission, sharing how he is trying to nurture two talented teens.
‘We need all his energy and enthusiasm’
Lucas Bergvall was a steal for a fee of £8.5 million last summer as he set sail from his native Sweden for the Premier League. He is a promising player and Frank has felt that he is useful as a number ten.
"It's fair to say that he had a good season last year. He played a lot of minutes that laid foundation for this season, because in the beginning of the season, he came back from the ankle injury last year and he just needed time to go. You can see he's going from strength to strength and has extra confidence.”
Potential requires refinement to fully flourish, and work has gone on with coaches behind the scenes.
“We need all his energy and enthusiasm in driving the team, but also how does he need to be goal side when he marks in the man to man and how does he need to close the angles and stuff like that."
The attention to detail is already reaping rewards. Bergvall became the second youngest Spurs player to score and assist in the same Premier League game before making the difference again in midweek.
“He has got so much energy that sometimes you need to say, pause, stop, don't run when we have the ball and find the more dangerous positions. The deep run where he scored the goal against West Ham was a big thing. The deep run where he was involved in the own goal against Villarreal.”
‘I like flexible players’
The manager then talked about Archie Gray, who moved for £30 million from Leeds United last summer. Amid an injury crisis for Ange Postecoglou, he showed his intelligence and versatility in a number of positions at the tender age of 18. However, minutes have been harder to come by lately.
“He mainly played as a centre-back and full-back last season. I like flexible players, every coach likes that. I definitely like that. It gives a little more squad depth and more opportunities, different abilities for different games. I see him more as a midfielder, an eight or centre-back, I think he can play both.”
The teenager played 28 times last season in the Premier League: even if those displays came in unusual roles or defeats for a side that finished in 17th position, they are useful experiences. For now, Gray has to show his dedication to developing his craft behind the scenes under new management.
“Archie really impressed me. He played a very good pre-season friendly against Newcastle and he grew into the game against Burnley, he was very good in the second half and I like his mentality. He was not in the squad for West Ham and the day after he trained fantastically. Yesterday, fantastic.”
Frank was not too critical of Gray, but a stacked midfield makes his inclusion harder to justify.
“He can twist and turn to go forward, he is very mobile, reliable. I really like Archie. Unfortunately, you can only play 11. Can we change the rules? Get a few more on the pitch, it would help a bit!"