Football London

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said on Monday ahead of the Champions League match with FC Copenhagen

Thomas Frank had plenty to speak about at his press conference on Monday afternoon ahead of Tottenham's Champions League match against FC Copenhagen.

Spurs are fifth in the Premier League but in Saturday's woeful derby defeat to Chelsea, Frank's side created barely anything at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the 1-0 defeat could have been worse but for a string of saves from Guglielmo Vicario.

After the final whistle, there was an awkward moment when Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence, who both made mistakes for Joao Pedro's winning goal, ignored Frank's instruction to applaud the home fans and instead walked past him and down the tunnel while he watched them go.

Frank delivered an update on his meeting with the duo and also on 19-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who within just a couple of minutes of the contest took a powerful hit to the side of his head from the ball which left him wobbly on his feet. He was taken off through the concussion protocol and now misses up to 12 days as a precautionary measure.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Frank. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

Have you spoken to Van de Ven and Spence. Was it purely frustration?

Yeah. Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday, unprompted. And just said: 'Want to say sorry for the situation.' They didn’t want it to look bad or disrespectful or all of the kind of perceptions you can get in this beautiful media world. That was not the intention at all towards me or the team or the club. They were just frustrated with the performance, the loss and the booing during the game.

What's the latest team news? We saw Kudus, Spence and Bergvall weren't training.

Lucas got concussion, which was probably pretty obvious from the footage. Big praise to the medical team because it’s a tricky situation to be in when it’s two minutes into a game and everything is on it so well done to them because the players’ health is the most important thing. Djed and Mo got a knock. They could and should be available for tomorrow.

The bad home form pre-dates you - why is it so hard to play in that stadium?

Of course, it’s a relatively small sample for me to look into. First and foremost, we need to work very hard on keep adding to performances, keep adding layers, keep improving. Work very hard on the training pitch, in meeting rooms, in one-to-one actions and I see a goo improvement in the team in general. Of course, we’re coming on the back of a bad performance. That’s the big flashing light right now, so everyone has a little bit a struggle to look past that and look to the very good performances we’ve had this year as well.

I also think it’s fair to say we are coming off the back of in many ways a fantastic season, but also a tough season and if anyone would have said that we would have now 17 points after 10 games, unbeaten in the Champions League and fifth, it doesn’t matter where we are now, it’s where we are at the end of the season…Everything’s definitely not perfect, but there’s decent foundation and it’s up to us to add layers. I think everyone would have taken where we are now, in terms of 22 defeats last season and finishing 17th. The Europa League is fantastic, wow, but the Champions League is different.

Then I just want to get the point across that I think the fans were fantastic the first 30 minutes of the game Saturday night. I think the noise was incredible and that carried us forwards. It seems there was a little bit of a turning point when we conceded the goal. Where we all get a little bit frustrated, which is natural. I think it’s more than fair, because we are in the performance business, and if we can’t deal with the pressure or deal with the negativity or the criticism, we shouldn’t sit here. Probably Vic and I, we are in the football world because we love the game and we love to be part of something.

It’s nice, the big occasions and the big crowds. I think the fans were fantastic the first 30 and after the game if we perform badly and on top of that we lost the game, more than fair enough they boo us. But during the game, we need a little bit of help. And especially when it’s not going the right way. They can be the turning point. We are down 1-0 last 15, imagine they carry us over the line. We got a little of an unfair 1-1, what a feeling. That point can be the difference in a long season.

Could you train at the stadium?

Maybe, I haven’t thought about it. I’m always listening to good suggestions.

What's the Bergvall protocol, how long is he out for?

He’s out for the next two games.

Is there an expectation to play a certain way at home?

That’s different types of games, sometimes also everything accumulating, the number you gave is not a fantastic number. We haven’t won at home in the last whatever games in the Premier League, not too many, but completely different games. Some teams are very different teams to play against, others a little bit easier. Everything is difficult, but for example Villa I think very good comparative performance. Unfortunately we lost, we just got it wrong, but we easily could have won that 1-0. And I think Saturday night is an accumulation of a lot of things. A big London derby. We always hope we can beat them. We haven’t beaten them for a long time and we didn’t so that’s just added a bit.

With Djed and Micky is it case closed?

From me? 100 per cent. I’m always very clear on what I said before.

There's a narrative, that you're a defensive coach, a pragmatist who can tweak things but maybe not such a front foot kind of coach. Are you surprised by that, given your record with Brentford in your career?

I think it depends on whose narrative that is. The journalists? A few fans? I guess we have quite a few fans out there so I guess the ones who write on social media. I’m not on social media. I’m very aware we haven’t been free flowing, in some games, I think there’s definitely been some moments where we’ve been quite good. It’s something we work very hard on every single day. It’s fair to say every team I’ve managed, we’ve been able to score a lot of goals. Also a Brentford team with let’s say on paper lesser players, creating a lot of top goal scorers. I’m convinced we will do the same here. I think it’s fair to say we are also working very hard on it. The players are doing everything they can and it’s my job with the coaches to make sure they hit good relations, good structure and can be confident.

Is it fair that the Africa Cup of Nations is taking place mid-season?

I think it is what it is. Like the Club World Cup in the summer, the Africa Cup of Nations most of the time has been in December, January. We need to deal with it and we will. That's my take on it.

How are you finding the spotlight at Tottenham and the extreme reactions?

Of course I sense there is a tiny bit more attention to everything. But that was the one thing I was 1000% sure of that would happen that would be different. Everything else has been the same, 20 fantastic players and people that want to work in the same direction. Little bit tactical, technical coaching, all that. This is the biggest difference. Very, very happy I'm not on social media. The only reason I can sense something, fans, creativity or whatever, is a lot of questions from the press conferences. And my good friend over here [press officer] gives me a little bit of input sometimes. So it is what it is. It's part of it, no problem.

Do you have to protect your players from getting their heads buried in their phones and social media?

Sometimes I like to speak more about how much they do it. I think some of the players are very good at it, some of them could probably be a little bit better. Little bit down to the individual. I think also I'd like to say I'm young but it's another generation. They deal with it in another way than us. If I should start dealing with it, I would deal with it less good than them.

How important was it for you that Micky and Djed came to see you and can you give us any more detail about it?

If they didn't come in, of course I had to ask them about the situation they were walking in, what they were feeling, why they were doing it, because we all have a perception. And we are very, very good to have that strong [opinion]. 'That's because they... whatever, because their mom wasn't well, or they didn't like the head coach, or they were irritated with the performance, or it's because they lost, or whatever'. We're very, very good at that. None of us knows.

So that would be my first question to them. How were they and why? Of course I'm happy, because I knew the question would come today, that they were coming in. And that means they care. I think that's very good. They care about the team, the club. In this case, me.

I'm happy with that. So that was very good. Then we just had a good talk about a lot of things. And like with everything, we keep it internally. Like I said to the players when I said that before, it will be very, very, very unusual if I ever throw a player under the bus. We're all humans, but I'll always protect them.

How much do you get to follow the games from the Superliga, and how much have you seen FC Copenhagen this year, and how can you take advantage of the down period they are in at the moment?

Of course I follow the results and the league, so I know how the results are every week. I still have good colleagues, friends, working in different clubs, knowing obviously also a lot of people in Copenhagen. So I know of course Copenhagen is not in their best place, but it's a very good team. They have very good European experience, and I expect it to be a difficult game.

Always, that's my little bit of a go-to, no matter if a team is in form or they are out of form, the next game is the one that everything can change in. So we prepare like normal, very aware of the strength of Copenhagen, and of course some areas we like to exploit. So that's how I take it.

I know Jacob Neestrup very well, he's a very good coach. He knows what he's doing with his coaching staff, so I expect a tough challenge and a tough tactical challenge.

What's your relationship like with Copenhagen fans as an ex-Brondby manager?

I think they’ll be pleased to meet me again! No, of course, there’s a relationship because I was the head coach of Brondby. They’re obviously not the biggest fan of me but that’s fair. That’s part of it.

You have some Brondby genes in you - do you feel an extra rivalry with Copenhagen?

Of course, I’ve been almost three years at Brondby and if you are that, the fans get under the skin and the club does as well. So of course it was Brondby that got my support.

Tomorrow in some ways it’s a little bit special, of course, against a Danish team where I know quite a few that works in the backroom staff and in the club. Of course I know some of the Danish players whether it be the national team or whatever, how I came across them, so that’s why it’s a little more special.

Tomorrow I just want to win. We’re playing Champions League, we’re playing at home. Vic said it perfectly, the best way to get back on track is a good performance and win at home. So that’s the main bit.

Harry Kane was linked with Manchester City in the summer of 2021 but the prolific striker eventually stayed put at Tottenham

David Pleat has revealed he previously advised Daniel Levy to bring Cole Palmer and Liam Delap to Tottenham during the summer of 2021.

England had reached the final of Euro 2020, eventually falling short to Italy on penalties, and Manchester City were flirting with the prospect of signing Harry Kane. Instead, they opted to land Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in a British-record £100million transfer.

However, Pleat has now revealed during the period where speculation over Kane's future was rife, he made it clear that Palmer and Delap - then at City's academy - were two attacking prospects worth signing.

He told Tippy Tappy Pod : “When Man City signed Grealish for £100m, that was the end of Harry Kane going to them. But, according to Daniel, they never picked up the phone. It was all paper talk, that £150m.

"I told Daniel at the time, ‘If you get whatever you think he's worth or eventually agree, make sure you get two players from Man City's academy, Delap and Palmer."

Delap later joined Ipswich Town before moving to Stamford Bridge while Palmer joined the Blues in the summer of 2023 for £42.5m.

Pleat, who previously had three different spells as Tottenham's caretaker boss, left his scouting role at Spurs in 2024. He also previously operated as the club's sporting director.

While Kane did stay put in 2021, he eventually left north London in 2023 to sign for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Speaking in 2024, Pleat revealed his two favourite signings while at Tottenham. He told The View From The Lane podcast: “I was very happy to bring in Jermain Defoe, and I was very happy to bring in Mr Keane from Leeds United.

"The last one before I left and came back again was the goalkeeper, [Paul] Robinson, he went on to play for England. In more recent times, Dele Alli, I watched Son [Heung-min] and I watched [Christian] Eriksen twice in Holland.”

Here are some of the things we noticed from Tottenham's training session at Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon ahead of the Champions League game against Copenhagen

Tottenham took to the training pitches of Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon ahead of their Champions League clash against Copenhagen.

Thomas Frank was watching over the session at Spurs' Enfield-based training complex as the media were allowed to watch over 15 minutes of the action on the lush green turf. The session came after Saturday's disappointing derby defeat to Chelsea which brought plenty of criticism for the Dane and his players.

Tottenham will be looking to bounce back with their European league phase tie against Copenhagen, who are fourth in the Danish Superliga.

As they worked on the grass at Hotspur Way, football.london's Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those watching on for the allotted time to the media. Here are five things we saw in the session.

Who was missing?

Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma could not be spotted either on the pitch or in the gym and there were three other faces conspicuous by their absence. Lucas Bergvall was not training which suggests the young Swede is going through the concussion protocols after further tests following his swift exit from Saturday's game.

Djed Spence was also absent from the training session, with the last sighting of the England full-back for the Tottenham fans being that awkward walk past Frank after the final whistle when the Spurs boss wanted him and Micky van de Ven to go and applaud the fans and they didn't.

The other missing key man was Mohammed Kudus, which was mysterious at the time because of one thing.

The Kudus mystery

The absence of the 25-year-old from the training session was an unusual one because Kudus was set to be alongside Frank in Monday's press conference.

The summer signing has been a shining light for Spurs since arriving from West Ham and his head coach will not want to lose him from a game that the north London side need to get back to winning ways in.

There may be another reason for Kudus' absence than injury and he might have joined in later in the session, but it did not look good. The mystery should be solved soon.

What they did

Those who were training, with the squad bolstered by plenty of U21s players, went through various passing drills and were already in the swing of things by the time the media came out.

Then the players were led over to another area of the pitches where they took part in rondos in ever-decreasing squares with individual development coach Cameron Campbell in charge of one group and Frank overseeing the whole thing.

When the media departed after their allotted 15 minutes, Spurs would have moved into more tactical work away from the prying eyes.

Fun on the pitch

Despite the disappointment of Saturday's dismal derby, the Tottenham players were enjoying themselves in the rondo work especially.

Destiny Udogie was joking with some of the younger players, falling to the floor on one occasion as if one of them had fouled him, while Richarlison was playing with a smile on his face throughout.

Frank will be hoping that his Spurs stars are still smiling at the end of Tuesday night's match.

Maddison in gym with Solanke

There were a couple of familiar faces in the gym behind the pitches with James Maddison and Dominic Solanke both going through work with sports science staff.

Solanke is on the way back from his ankle injury with Frank saying the striker should be back in action after the coming international break.

Maddison is out for far longer with his anterior cruciate ligament injury and could be seen looking forlornly through the window at those training. He did have a happier moment though at the end of the 15 minutes as he appeared to be involved in, or at least watching, the briefest moment of keepy uppy with a ball in the gym.

The midfielder will be pining for a return to actual ball work in the future when he returns next year.

Tottenham Hotspur were poor in defeat at home to Chelsea on Saturday and many believe that Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was fortunate to escape a red card

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has offered his view on Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur potentially escaping a red card during Saturday's defeat to Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca's team scored the game's only goal 34 minutes in after sloppy play from Thomas Frank's men. First, Djed Spence gave the ball away - before Spurs initially won it back - only for Xavi Simons to under-hit a pass to teammate Micky van de Ven, and the Dutch defender lost it in trying to dribble past Moises Caicedo, who found Joao Pedro to score.

Tottenham struggled to create anything, other than a couple of Mohammed Kudus efforts before the break, and had goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to thank for it not being a far heavier defeat on the night, making a string of saves, mostly from match-winner Pedro.

One contentious moment in the match saw Spurs midfielder Bentancur shown a yellow rather than a red for a challenge on Reece James. Asked on Sky Sports' Ref Watch for his view on the incident, Gallagher said: "I think this is one of them.

"If he gets sent off, VAR is not bringing him back. I think it's more red than a yellow card.

"But I can understand the yellow on field. I think VAR is going to back the decision."

Former Coventry City striker Jay Bothroyd also had his say on the show. He said: "If he does get a red card there, I say, I understand why he got it, but then after that, I can understand as well why it's a yellow card.

"It's an aggressive challenge. It's one of those orange card challenges."

Meanwhile, a separate incident saw Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez receive a yellow card instead of a red for a challenge on Spurs' Joao Palhina.

Asked for his view on the incident, Gallagher said: "I definitely do not think this is a red card, his feet are up and it is a glancing blow, he has not gone through him, it is almost sideways.

"If he was in front and had gone through like that, he is on big trouble, but because of the angle he comes in at, he does not get the force or contact and so does not make the impact."

Bothroyd added: "I really like this decision from the ref. Enzo has tried to make an honest challenge there and just toe the ball away and as he has toed the ball away, his foot is obviously up, but his foot has hit the side of Palhinha's knee, so in that instance it is not a reckless tackle, or a high challenge. From certain angles and a high speed, it looks a red."

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Thomas Frank is holding a press conference with Guglielmo Vicario on Monday afternoon ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League match against Copenhagen.

Spurs remain fifth in the Premier League table but there has been an element of gloom around the club after Saturday's dismal derby defeat to Chelsea. Frank's side created barely anything with their lowest XG since such statistics began with just three shots and one on target at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the 1-0 defeat that could have been worse but for a string of saves from Guglielmo Vicario.

After the final whistle, there was a further awkward moment when Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence, who both made mistakes for Joao Pedro's winning goal, ignored Frank's instruction to applaud the home fans and instead walked past him and down the tunnel while he watched them go.

Tottenham had lost 19-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall within just a couple of minutes of the contest starting after the Swede took a powerful hit to the side of his head from the ball which left him wobbly on his feet. He was taken off through the concussion protocol and further tests will decide whether the teenager now misses up to 12 days as a precautionary measure.

Frank will deliver further updates on the midfielder as well as any fresh injuries from the defeat to Chelsea and any progress with those already out. Vicario, who has been a shining light for Tottenham in recent weeks, will give his take on the current situation at the north London club.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to Frank and Kudus. Scroll down for the latest from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

Tottenham Hotspur will be determined to return to winning ways on Tuesday night when they host Copenhagen in the Europa League

Thomas Frank has provided an update on Lucas Bergvall. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was forced to come off in the opening minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday night due to a concussion.

He joins a long list of players who are still out of action. Fortunately, though, a few big names returned to the matchday squad at the weekend, with Cristiano Romero, Destiny Udogie, and Wilson Odobert among those who featured off the bench against the Club World Cup champions.

Spurs will be determined to return to winning ways on Tuesday night when they host Copenhagen in the Europa League. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up all the latest Tottenham injury news.

Lucas Bergvall

According to The FA's guidelines, after an initial 24 to 48 hour period of 'relative rest', Bergvall will be allowed to undergo a graduated return to full daily activity. The 19-year-old midfielder will be allowed to train, but 'at a rate that does not worsen existing symptoms'.

The FA have a 'Graduated return to play' (GRTP) programme, which could keep Bergvall out of action for a minimum of 21 days. The sporting body also have an 'Enhanced care pathway' for players over the age of 18, which permits RTP after 12 days – or after seven days so long as exceptional criteria is met.

What Frank has said: "That was a concussion. So he totally couldn't stay on and I think the medical team did a good job in that aspect. And even if he wanted to stay on, it's the right decision that he stays on. Of course, we would have loved to have him continue. That's why we picked him in the starting XI. Unfortunately, that couldn't happen."

Expected return date: End of November.

Archie Gray

Gray suffered a calf injury in training ahead of Tottenham's clash against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup fourth round. 19-year-old midfielder, who was expected to start the tie, has struggled to force himself into Frank's side this season.

Expected return date: December.

Dominic Solanke

Solanke underwent a minor ankle procedure last month to repair an issue first suffered during pre-season.

What Frank has said: "[He is] very aware that we want him back. Hopefully touch wood have him back and no setbacks. We are very aware of doing it the right way. It's going in the right direction.

"He'll not be available before the international break - that's the status now. If he was fit enough, he'd have been involved Wednesday. He's ready to be involved tomorrow, let's see how much."

Expected return date: End of November.

Radu Dragusin

Dragusin has recently returned to first-team training as he looks to rebuild his fitness following a serious knee injury. The 23-year-old defender has been sidelined for nine months, so it could be a while yet until Frank gives him a start.

Expected return date: End of November.

Ben Davies

Davies has been nursing a hamstring injury. The 32-year-old defender was forced to come off in Wales' 4-2 defeat to Belgium in a World Cup qualifier back in October.

What Frank has said: "Ben has got a hamstring injury, so it'll probably be around four or five weeks [out for him].

Expected return date: End of November.

Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski had surgery on his knee in May. Frank hopes to welcome the 25-year-old midfielder back to action before the end of the year.

What Frank has said: "Still not on the grass. Working very hard to get him fit as quick as possible."

Expected return date: December.

Yves Bissouma

Bissouma hasn't played for Tottenham yet this season. The 29-year-old midfielder was left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup due to disciplinary reasons, and then he suffered an injury while out on international duty with Mali.

What Frank has said: " Biss, unfortunately, had a situation with the national team, I think everyone saw that, so he got a ligament injury to his ankle that will keep him out for weeks."

Expected return date: Unknown.

James Maddison

Maddison remains out with a knee injury after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle. The 28-year-old midfielder is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season.

Expected return date: End of the season.

Kota Takai

Takai suffered a plantar fascia injury in his foot shortly after joining Tottenham in the summer. The 21-year-old defender was dealt a slight setback on his road to recovery.

What Frank has said: " Kota is a quad problem. He's about to be training, soon."

Ex-Leeds United defender Clarke Carlisle has named the one striker that he faced in the Premier League that he found the most difficult to play against

Clarke Carlisle has revealed that Robbie Keane was the Premier League striker he found most challenging to play against. The former defender described the ex-Tottenham star as "on a different level", even more so than the likes of Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry.

Carlisle, an ex-Leeds United player and now a judge on the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025 panel, recently singled out Keane as his toughest opponent during his time as a centre-half in the league.

While acknowledging Henry, Drogba and Dennis Bergkamp as formidable opponents, it was the Irish forward who gave the defender the most trouble on the pitch.

The former PFA chairman said: "I was blessed to come up against some of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen.

"I defended against the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Didier Drogba who were incredibly difficult, but there's one player that gave me the most trouble.

"That man was Robbie Keane. His footballing intelligence was magnificent. He would drop into places that I couldn't go, but also places that I couldn't leave him. He challenged me as a defender on a different level to anyone else I faced."

Keane had stints at various Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Leeds United, but it was at Spurs where the Irish striker truly excelled.

He made 306 professional appearances for the Lilywhites, netting 122 goals and providing 43 assists, and clinching the League Cup in 2008.

Highlighting about the former striker's intelligence, Carlisle said: "I knew how to handle players that were particularly quick or strong, but when someone is so clever like Robbie, they're asking cerebral footballing questions, that's not what I was good at.

"If it moved, I kicked it, if it didn't move, I kicked it until it did! He challenged me on a level I hadn't been exposed to before, but that's not to say other Premier League strikers weren't like that.

"Henry used to always drift to the left and come in from my blind side, but that was a standard action that strikers do, which I knew how to manage.

"Keane was so ridiculously clever, he tore me apart."

Barcelona have shortlisted Harry Kane as an option to replace Robert Lewandowski, with the former Spurs star's £57million release clause due to activate in the next summer transfer window

Harry Kane is considering a sensational move to Barcelona in a blow to Tottenham's chances of re-signing him. Kane, 32, has enjoyed a lightning-fast start to the season for Bayern Munich, scoring a remarkable 22 goals in just 15 games.

But the England captain's long-term future with Germany is in doubt. Kane's contract with the Bundesliga champions runs until 2027 but contains a €65m (£57million) release clause which will become active next summer.

Premier League clubs, including Spurs, are on alert, with Thomas Frank already on record to say that he'd be welcome back. But so too are Barcelona, as Robert Lewandowski's contract is set to expire next June.

Barca's primary target is Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, although Kane has emerged as a serious contender and would reportedly be open to joining the La Liga giants. According to Catalan publication Sport, the striker is contemplating a move to Barcelona but won't make a decision on his future until towards the end of this season.

Barcelona could match what Kane currently earns at Bayern but are wary of interest from other clubs. Tottenham are said to be desperate to bring him back to North London and crucially have first refusal on his release clause.

The 32-year-old, however, poured cold water on talk of returning to the Premier League next summer during the recent international break, as he's loving life with Bayern. "In terms of staying there longer, I could definitely see that," Kane revealed.

"I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation. Obviously, it depends on how the next year or so goes and what we achieve together.

"Right now, I would say we are in a fantastic moment and I am not thinking about anything else. In terms of the Premier League, I don't know.

"If you had asked me when I first left to go to Bayern, I would have said for sure I would come back. Now I have been there a couple of years, I would probably say that has gone down a little bit, not so much, but I wouldn't say I would never go back.

"What I have learnt in my career is that different opportunities and different timings happen and things fall in place. Going back to my first point with Bayern right now, I am fully all in with Bayern."

Speaking at a fans' forum a few days after Kane's comments, Frank was asked about signing Kane as well as Ivan Toney, who he previously managed at Brentford. "Let's put it this way, they're two very, very good players, both of them," Frank replied.

"Harry Kane is a legend. I said in the press conference the other day, if he wants to come back he's more than welcome."

Igor Thiago has been in red-hot form for Brentford this season, and Thomas Frank is keen to sign the Brazilian - but the Bees have no intention of selling

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been warned to abandon his pursuit of Igor Thiago, with Brentford determined to keep hold of their prized asset.

Frank is eager to strengthen his attacking ranks and has reportedly identified Brentford forward Thiago as a prime target. The Brazilian has enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign, netting seven times in merely 11 outings across all competitions.

This form has caught Frank's attention, having previously brought Thiago to Brentford during his tenure as manager in a £30million switch from Club Brugge. Frank believes Thiago could lead his side's frontline for the foreseeable future and prove a massive hit at the north London outfit, reports the Mirror.

However, Brentford remain steadfast in their refusal to part with Thiago, making it abundantly clear to all suitors that the 24-year-old is not available.Thiago arrived at Brentford during the summer of 2024 as Ivan Toney's replacement, following the latter's departure to the Saudi Pro League. Yet he featured in only eight matches last term due to a severe knee injury.

Aston Villa and Newcastle have also monitored Thiago's progress, though Brentford boss Keith Andrews was emphatic that no departure would be permitted. "I've said over the past few weeks, I was really happy when the last transfer window closed," he declared ahead of the Bees' clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"We're not even in November, so I'm not going to talk about a transfer window that is two months away, that will inevitably come closer to the time. Thiago is going absolutely nowhere, absolutely nowhere, he's a pivotal part of this football club, he doesn't want to go anywhere, that won't be happening."

Thiago has been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Month for October, and Andrews was questioned on whether he could emulate Bryan Mbeumo's feat of netting 20 league goals this season. "I think he wants more, that's what I'm hearing!" he responded. "He's clearly in a very good place, great rhythm in his game, playing with confidence, enjoying life. He's been a critical part of what we've done. It's nice to hear that he's been nominated, because he deserves it."

Andrews added: "He's already shown he can be a top performer in the Premier League. He gives the opposition a headache, the way he plays the game. I'm not sure many players will relish playing against him.

"He's very demanding of himself. Some players you have to push and some players you have to rein in - he's definitely the latter. He's in a great place and we want to keep him there. He's very, very determined to achieve things; as a team, first and foremost, but, by doing that, he will also achieve things as an individual.

"It's the selfless way he approaches games, you see how hard he works for the team, and then, from that, his goals, different types of goals. He's really settled into a groove and his team-mates are loving playing with him.

"It's just been about getting him into that rhythm and building those relationships, which I constantly speak about. We've been seeing that a lot more often in recent weeks."

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has given a scathing verdict of his side's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday

Guglielmo Vicario has warned Tottenham need to do some soul-searching before the visit of Copenhagen. Spurs, who recorded their lowest-ever Premier League xG (0.05) against Chelsea, also play Manchester United, Arsenal and PSG in their next four outings.

Vicario accepts there is no sugarcoating how bad Tottenham were against the Blues, stating: "It's tough to accept but this is the reality of today's game. We need to look inside us and we need to do more because when you play for this club, we have to do things at 100 per cent.

"I know it's tough but we have to do that every single day." In the past year, Spurs have won just four Premier League games on home soil and the scoreline would have been more humbling had it not been for Vicario's eight saves.

He added on the Tottenham dressing room: "When you go inside it's tough to accept because you expect yourself to perform at your best, with a lot of energy but something today didn't go in the right direction.

"Everyone knows that personally, we have to do a little bit more if we want to achieve good results, make everyone happy and make ourselves happy. Today is a bad day for us, we didn't perform at our best level."

Thomas Frank was extremely disappointed with the performance and the result at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Dane insisting his side deserved to lose. "We all sense the frustration and the emotions," he said.

"That is part of football. It is extremely painful and of course that is part of the job to face you guys now and answer the very good questions when you just are burning inside. And you like to find solutions, watch the game back and see what went wrong, but I think it’s about trying to stay calm. In general, I think Chelsea were good and we were definitely second best.

"We performed badly. I think we lacked energy and intensity and that freshness we didn’t have that. Then I think the high pressure they came with, I don’t think we solved it well enough even though we worked on it, so that we need to keep working on. I think our high pressure, we lacked a little bit in the beginning until we got on top of it and then they went up 1-0 and we are chasing. Then it’s a bad circle where we are chasing, lacking intensity and energy and bad decisions."