Thomas Frank has shed light on the absence of one of his midfielders in Tottenham’s Premier League opener, raising questions over what comes next for the player.
Thomas Frank would have been more than pleased with how his Tottenham Hotspur side began their Premier League campaign, brushing aside newly promoted Burnley with a convincing 3-0 victory.
A brace from Richarlison, alongside a composed finish from last season’s top scorer Brennan Johnson, provided Spurs with the cutting edge they needed, while a clean sheet wrapped up what was a dominant display from start to finish.
However, while the performance ticked many boxes for Frank, there was the notable absence of one midfielder on the day.
Yves Bissouma had already faced disciplinary measures earlier this month after arriving late for training, which led to his exclusion from the UEFA Super Cup squad as punishment.
Frank revealed that the issue had been dealt with and that he fully expected Bissouma to return to the bench against Burnley, only for the midfielder to remain absent once more.
Speaking after the win, Frank clarified the situation, explaining (football.london): “Unfortunately, he got injured in training yesterday. We need to look into how much it is.”
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Tottenham injuries pile up after Bissouma setback
The latest setback for Bissouma adds further strain on Frank’s squad, which is already coping with several injuries so early in the season.
Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are both sidelined with long-term problems, leaving Spurs light in attacking midfield and forcing Frank into tactical adjustments.
Defensively, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie and youngster Kota Takai remain unavailable, stretching Tottenham’s options even further, though there is still hope that the summer transfer window could provide some much-needed reinforcements.