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Thomas Frank has attempted to bring change to Tottenham Hotspur and he looks to have succeeded in one area.

Thomas Frank has already been working to make Tottenham Hotspur a more competitive force in the Premier League. He is doing a good job so far, with Spurs currently sitting in third ahead of this weekend’s action.

One of the ways Frank has sought to improve his team is through set pieces, an area which was highlighted as a concern when Ange Postecoglou was in charge.

Frank specifically spoke about using long throw-ins as a weapon shortly after he arrived in North London. Spurs even held long throw-in auditions to help Frank identify which of his players are able to implement the tactic.

Jamie Carragher makes Thomas Frank observation at Tottenham

Tottenham appointed Andreas Gergson as the club’s new set piece coach in the summer and they have looked more dangerous from these opportunies as a result.

Spurs have scored two Premier League goals from set pieces this season, a figure which would have been higher had Cristian Romero’s goal against West Ham not been bizarrely disallowed.

As well as corners, the long throw is clearly important to Frank and Jamie Carragher has revealed something he noticed when the Dane arrived at Hotspur Way.

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He told the Stick to Football podcast: “You know, Thomas Frank, when he came in at Spurs this summer. So, he must have done something on TV, and there was a board behind him with information about the day, and one of the items was ‘throw-in auditions’.

“So all the players used to be, so he’s coming new to the club, there was like a note so people would see who has the long throw, basically, yeah, that’s what it was.”

Tottenham have improved across all set pieces

The long throw-in is just one area Spurs have looked to strengthen at set pieces. One of the biggest criticisms under Postecoglou was actually how poor the team were at defending corners.

Tottenham look more stable at dealing with set pieces so far this season and Frank and his set piece coach will keep looking at what they can do help Spurs make the most of any dead ball opoortunities.

Tottenham Hotspur look much stronger in defence this season, but Ally McCoist believes there is something Thomas Frank’s team lacks.

Tottenham Hotspur experienced the club’s worst ever Premier League campaign on record last season and the defensive line was one of the biggest contributing factors.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both out for large parts of the season with injuries, which saw Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin pair up for a number of matches.

However, Thomas Frank has helped to bring stability to the Spurs defence. His team are joint second for least league goals conceded, with only Arsenal letting in fewer goals.

Ally McCoist makes big Tottenham claim

According to Ally McCoist, Romero and van de Ven are more important to Tottenham than Gabriel and William Saliba are to Arsenal.

However, this does mean he believes the Spurs duo are better players. Rather, McCoist believes there is less defensive depth in the Tottenham first-team squad.

He told The TNT Sports Breakdown: “The two centre-backs for them, Van de Ven and Romero. Vital, I think the two centre-backs are vital.

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“We’re speaking of the boys at Arsenal, but it’s arguably more so at Spurs because I don’t think they’ve got the cover that Arsenal have.”

Spurs could sign a new centre-back in January

Frank is likely aware of Tottenham’s need for added strength in defence because he is reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back in the upcoming transfer window.

One recent report suggested Spurs are looking to sign Eric Garcia from Barcelona. Another stated that Tottenham are in a race with Atletico Madrid to sign Lautaro Rivero.

Mohammed Kudus believes he’s become the best in the world in one surprising key area of his game, after an impressive start at Tottenham Hotspur.

Kudus has enjoyed a near-perfect start to life at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Ghana international already registering four assists and a goal.

Jermain Defoe has been particularly pleased with the 25-year-old’s impact, even describing Kudus as the main man on Thomas Frank’s side.

However, despite his impressive start, the Ghana international still needs to improve several aspects of his game, though he believes he already stands out in one crucial area.

Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus backs himself as the strongest player

When building his version of the perfect footballer, Mohammed Kudus surprisingly picked himself for strength.

The Ghanaian is by no means a weak player, though many would argue his biggest assets are his dribbling and flair rather than physicality.

Kudus has completed the most dribbles in the Premier League this season, ranking ahead of Man City’s Doku, and he even has a better dribbling stat than Yamal.

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But for dribbling, Kudus chose Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, while for the other categories, he named Lionel Messi for left foot, Neymar for right foot, Kylian Mbappe for speed, and Andres Iniesta for footballing intelligence.

Spurs handed boost as Kudus to miss AFCON

With Ghana failing to qualify for the upcoming AFCON, Tottenham have been handed an unexpected boost as Mohammed Kudus will remain available during a crucial part of their season.

While the news comes as a disappointment for the nation, Spurs will quietly welcome the development, given how influential Kudus has been under Thomas Frank since his arrival.

However, there is some consolation for Ghana, as they have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after finishing top of their qualifying group, and Kudus will be eager to carry his fine club form into that tournament when it comes around.

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed Tottenham players’ true feelings on the return of former Sporting Director Fabio Paratici.

Fabio Paratici made his long-awaited return to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, October 15, following confirmation from the club of his reappointment.

The Italian is set to resume his role as Sporting Director at Hotspur Way, as Spurs move into a new chapter with two directors working in tandem, with Johan Lange also retaining his position.

Tottenham supporters have been left buzzing about Paratici’s comeback, with plenty of excitement surrounding what future transfer windows might look like, given the director’s impressive track record.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Tottenham players’ reaction to Fabio Paratici’s return

Fabrizio Romano has been speaking about Fabio Paratici since his reappointment, and he revealed that the Italian is appreciated by many within the Tottenham setup, suggesting that his return has provided a significant lift across the club.

Paratici was the one who oversaw the signing of several key players who now form the core of Thomas Frank’s squad, and it is no surprise Tottenham have brought him back to the club.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained how Paratici’s influence remains deeply felt: “Really important news for Tottenham because Fabio Paratici, who is also really appreciated by many of the fans, people at the club, players as well, what he did at Tottenham is really important.

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“Creating the crucial part of the squad we see right now playing in the Champions League, winning a trophy with the Europa League. Some of the best signings in recent years at Tottenham are thanks to the work of Fabio Paratici, now back in control.”

What Paratici’s return could mean for Spurs squad plans

Paratici is now back in charge of the first-team structure at Tottenham, and there are still several areas that could do with strengthening.

Spurs may look to bring in a new left-sided winger, having tried to address that position during the summer but ultimately falling short.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to return to Premier League action this weekend with Aston Villa visiting north London, and Thomas Frank faces some tough calls as he looks to name his strongest possible starting eleven. Let’s take a look at our predicted Tottenham XI to face Aston Villa.

The international break is now firmly behind us, with focus shifting back to club football, as Tottenham Hotspur prepare to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Several Spurs players impressed while away on international duty, showing flashes of quality and confidence that Frank will hope to see carried into domestic action.

The Tottenham boss will now be looking for his side to find rhythm and consistency, with the season beginning to take shape and early momentum proving vital.

With Villa set to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in matchweek eight, we have now attempted to predict how Frank could set up his team for this crucial fixture.

Predicted Tottenham XI to face Aston Villa

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario: The Italian has received plenty of criticism in recent weeks after a few costly errors in the league, but underlying stats continue to place Vicario amongst the best in his position. Despite some fans calling for Vicario to be dropped, we expect Frank to keep faith with the 29-year-old.

Right-back – Pedro Porro: There should be no rotation at full-back for this fixture, and Porro, who impressed for Spain against Georgia, is expected to start on the right.

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Centre-back – Cristian Romero: The Spurs captain featured for ninety minutes for Argentina and returned early, which should see him ready to start against Villa.

Centre-back – Micky van de Ven: The Dutchman showed his versatility during the international break by playing at left-back for the Netherlands, but while that remains an option for Frank, we expect him to feature in his usual centre-back role.

Left-back – Destiny Udogie: The Italian full-back did not feature for his national team and should be fresh for this one, with Djed Spence likely to drop to the bench.

Pivot midfielder – Joao Palhinha: The Portuguese midfielder has impressed since his move to north London and is currently one of the most in-form players under Frank, so he should retain his spot.

Centre midfielder – Lucas Bergvall: The young Swede missed a golden opportunity while on international duty with Sweden and will be determined to make amends with a strong performance.

Centre midfielder – Pape Matar Sarr: Xavi Simons started in the number ten role against Leeds United in the Premier League, but we expect Frank to go with Sarr in midfield to maintain solidity.

Right winger – Mohammed Kudus: The Ghanaian has quickly become one of Tottenham’s most influential players, and after scoring his first goal against Leeds United, he should keep his place in the starting lineup.

Striker – Richarlison: Mathys Tel certainly has a strong case for a start, given his recent scoring form, but Frank could well stick with Richarlison to lead the line.

Tottenham return to Premier League action this weekend, but they face a stern test as Aston Villa arrive in North London looking to continue their resurgence. Here’s how to watch the clash between Tottenham and Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur are finally back in Premier League action after a two-week break, and they will be hoping to make it two wins from two.

In matchweek seven, Spurs ended a run of consecutive draws after beating Leeds United at Elland Road, thanks to goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus.

Up next, however, is a fixture against an Aston Villa side that has found some rhythm after a slow start to the Premier League season, which saw them pick up just three points from their first five league fixtures.

When and where is the game?

Tottenham face Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, 19 October 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 (UK time).

How to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa in the UK

Supporters in the United Kingdom can watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

Tottenham and Aston Villa team news

Both sides have fitness worries heading into Sunday’s clash, with Tottenham and Aston Villa each sweating over key players.

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For Villa, Emiliano Buendia is still recovering from a concussion, while Jadon Sancho is being monitored after illness. Ollie Watkins faces a late fitness test following a knock on England duty, and Tyrone Mings remains doubtful with an ankle problem. Youri Tielemans is out until late November with a calf injury.

Tottenham are without Dejan Kulusevski, who is nursing a knee injury, while James Maddison continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament problem.

Dominic Solanke remains a doubt, while Yves Bissouma suffered another injury setback during the international break with Mali.

Randal Kolo Muani, however, could feature after playing forty-five minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford.

It is also worth noting that Radu Dragusin is edging closer to full fitness and not far off from returning to the matchday squad.

Spurs Web prediction for Tottenham vs Aston Villa

Thomas Frank will be hoping to secure a win against Unai Emery this weekend, as Spurs are winless in their last two encounters with Villa.

Tottenham’s last victory against the Midlands club came back in November 2024, when they secured a 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Both sides are in good form, and this will undoubtedly be a tough match to call, with both having strong records in games following the international break.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told that it will be next to impossible to sign a 24-year-old midfielder, who is going from strength to strength in the Serie A.

Not everyone is convinced that the Rodrigo Bentancur-Joao Palhinha partnership is the answer for Tottenham, with some feeling that the pairing leaves the Lilywhites devoid of creativity.

That might be why Spurs are thought to be exploring midfield options on the market ahead of the January window.

It has now emerged that Thomas Frank’s men tested the waters over signing a French international back in the summer and were met with a clear response.

Tottenham’s approach for Juventus star was turned down

According to TBR Football, Tottenham are fans of Juventus star Khephren Thuram, who has become one of the Bianconeri’s most important players since swapping Nice for Turin in the summer of 2024.

The outlet says that Spurs made an inquiry for the 24-year-old as they wanted to take advantage of Juve’s difficult financial situation.

However, the Serie A giants made it clear to Tottenham that Thuram was not for sale, while the Italian club also batted away approaches from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool for the midfielder.

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Former Spurs director has special plans for Khephren Thuram

Former Tottenham director of football, Damien Comolli, currently serves as the Old Lady’s general manager, and it has now been revealed that he is a big fan of Thuram.

This is shared by journalist Graeme Bailey, who suggested that Spurs may have to forget about signing the Frenchman, as Comolli considers the midfielder ‘untouchable’.

When asked about the 24-year-old’s future, Bailey told TBR Football: “Thuram is one of those players that Premier League clubs had the chance to land before Juve took him from Nice.

“Juve took that chance and have been rewarded, Thuram’s form since arriving in Italy has been spectacular – he was not even in the France squad, let alone pushing for a starting spot, he has really kicked on.

“Now, along with Yildiz, Comolli believes he has something special, and he is getting calls – we know that, but they have no interest in letting either of these two go, they are both deemed as ‘untouchable’ by Juve at this point.”

Aston Villa’s former managing director Monchi, has made a very interesting revelation about his dealings with Tottenham Hotspur and Daniel Levy.

While Tottenham Hotspur said in their initial announcement that Levy had stepped down from his role as executive chairman, that was not the case if reports are to be believed.

Many outlets have said that Levy was asked to resign rather than stepping down of his own accord following an internal review headed by Tavistock Group, who are the majority shareholders of ENIC.

According to some sources, Levy was only informed of his sacking just hours before Tottenham made the announcement, with the 63-year-old being completely blindsided by the development.

Director reveals how difficult it was to deal with Tottenham and Daniel Levy

One of the things that left Spurs fans frustrated about their former chairman is his insistence on winning every negotiation.

While that worked in Tottenham’s favour on some occasions, it also meant that negotiations were often dragged out and relationships with clubs were damaged.

Monchi, who has been the sporting director at Sevilla and Roma, before serving two years as Villa’s managing director, has now confirmed that it was not pleasant to deal with the former Tottenham chairman.

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When asked who the toughest negotiator he dealt with was, the 57-year-old, who left Villa last month, told FlashScore: “Many. I always say Daniel Levy, possibly one of the hardest to negotiate with. Tottenham has always been a difficult club, but generally speaking, you find very capable people, with a lot of arguments, and they are complicated.”

Several clubs refused to deal with Levy towards the end

Monchi is not the only one to make this remark about the former Tottenham chairman, with Southampton CEO Martin Semmens also admitting that he hated dealing with Levy.

In fact, The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reported last month that several Premier League clubs had refused to deal with Spurs due to Levy’s exhaustive negotiating tactics.

The journalist claimed that ENIC’s decision to get rid of the 63-year-old was partly influenced by his worsening relationships with other clubs in the division.

Journalist Sami Mokbel has revealed which areas Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is prioritising strengthening during the January transfer window.

Following the exit of Daniel Levy, it has been reported that Tottenham’s transfer policy is set to change, with the club targeting elite signings to push onto the next level.

The Lilywhites may have the capital to make ambitious moves in the upcoming transfer window after ENIC injected £100m into Tottenham last week.

A journalist has now explained which positions the North London club will look to strengthen in January.

Tottenham are expected to bolster their defence and forward line

Sami Mokbel has now suggested that signing a new centre-back who can rotate with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will be a priority for Thomas Frank.

Interestingly, he also suggested that Spurs could potentially look to add another striker to their squad despite having Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani.

When asked which positions Tottenham are looking to strengthen in January, the journalist said on a Q&A on BBC Sport: ” You’d imagine a new centre-back to apply genuine pressure on to Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven will be among Frank’s priorities. Romero and Van de Ven are up there with the best partnerships in the division, but strength in depth at centre-back is an area that needs work.

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“Looking at the squad they may be lighter than they’d like in attacking areas – but the returns to fitness of Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani should help ease those concerns.”

Mokbel expects Spurs to make ‘no-brainer’ decision on midfielder

A number of sources have said over the last few weeks that Tottenham are in favour of activating the £26m option to sign Joao Palhinha permanently.

Palhinha has been very vocal about loving his life at Spurs, and Mokbel believes that the Lilywhites should look to finalise his permanent signing in January rather than wait till the summer.

The BBC journalist added: “What Tottenham should, and I expect will, be looking to commit money towards is the permanent signing of Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese has been excellent since his initial arrival from Bayern Munich on a loan deal – his full-time signing should be a no-brainer.”

Journalist Sami Mokbel has revealed what the feeling at Tottenham is about Antonin Kinsky and whether the young Czech goalkeeper could be given the nod to start over Guglielmo Vicario.

Vicario has come under a lot of criticism from Spurs fans this season, and there has been mixed reporting on whether the Italian’s place in the side is under threat.

A little over a week ago, TBR Football claimed that Thomas Frank continues to have faith in Vicario and is not considering dropping the Tottenham number one.

However, a few days ago, TEAMtalk suggested that Spurs have started searching the market for a new goalkeeper ahead of January.

Journalist reveals if Spurs are looking to sign a new shot-stopper

Sami Mokbel has now revealed what his sources have told him about the possibility of the Italian being dropped.

The journalist pointed out that the Tottenham man is still one of the best shot-stoppers across the Premier League and claimed that Spurs are not expected to sign a new goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer window.

When asked in a Q&A on BBC Sport if Spurs should upgrade on Vicario, Mokbel said: “I have to disagree here. I think Vicario is an excellent modern-day goalkeeper. I get your point for sure, there have been moments when he’s appeared susceptible in his own area – particularly when his area is congested.

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“But as a shot-stopper, he is very good and he is comfortable in possession, which is a key component for goalkeepers in today’s game.

I don’t believe a new goalkeeper will be a priority for Tottenham Hotspur anytime soon.”

Sami Mokbel reveals concerns at Tottenham about Antonin Kinsky

Many Spurs fans want to see Antonin Kinsy get an opportunity, but Mokbel has revealed that the 22-year-old has not exactly convinced in training.

He explained that the former Slavia Prague man’s performances in training dropped off after a bright start to his spell at the club.

Mokbel added: “With regards to Kinsky – he made a very promising start to life at Spurs when he arrived in January. He played regularly under then manager Ange Postecoglou because Vicario was a long-term injury absentee.

“But I’ve been told that his performances dropped off, even in training, once Vicario moved closer to fitness. That certainly raised an alarm for the previous coaching team.”