Football FanCast

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is poised to be without a star duo for even longer than initially feared after a torrid injury update, according to a fresh report.

To make his current injury crisis worse, Frank confirmed left-back Destiny Udogie faces four to five weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday's humbling Old Trafford defeat.

The Italy international limped off just 55 minutes into the 2-0 capitulation against United, heading straight down the tunnel after receiving treatment on the pitch.

Scans conducted over the weekend revealed a hamstring strain that will rule him out until mid-March, devastating news for a Spurs side already ravaged by absences.

Frank delivered the crushing blow during Monday's pre-match press conference ahead of tonight's Newcastle clash, confirming Udogie joins a staggering casualty list that now features 10 first-team players unavailable.

The 23-year-old will miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace whilst becoming a major doubt for their Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

The timing couldn't be worse for Udogie, who only recently returned from a previous hamstring setback suffered in early December.

His stop-start campaign has seen him make just eight Premier League starts and 13 appearances across all competitions, with the club desperately attempting to manage his workload and improve his durability.

His absence leaves Spurs critically short at left-back, with January signing Souza thrust into prominence despite Frank admitting the teenager isn't ready for consistent first-team football.

The Brazilian made his debut off the bench at United, and importantly impressed during difficult circumstances playing a man down.

Frank remains without suspended captain Cristian Romero for four matches following his reckless red card, whilst defensive colleagues Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies all continue their rehab.

Long-term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison also remain out, and an update has now come to light on a couple of the aforementioned names.

Frank has already admitted he doesn't know whether Deki in particular will play again this season, but a report from Tipsbladet in Sweden has offered more information in a 'gloomy' update.

According to the outlet and journalist Daniel Kristoffersen, Swedish duo Kulusevski and Bergvall both facing significantly longer spells sidelined than originally anticipated.

Bergvall underwent surgery on a high ankle sprain sustained during January's Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, with initial fears he'd miss several weeks now confirmed as a devastating two-to-three month absence.

The 20-year-old won't return until around early April, ruling him out of Sweden's crucial World Cup playoff semifinal against Ukraine scheduled for March 26th.

Meanwhile, Kulusevski's complicated knee setback has taken a worrying turn too, with Kulusevski also out for longer than first feared and poised to miss Sweden's play-off as well.

Kristoffersen actually does suggest he could make the bench if Sweden advance to the Play-Off final on March 31, but this is seen as optimistic at best, so it could be a long while yet before Kulusevski or Bergvall don the Lilywhites jersey again.

For Frank, it is another crushing blow as he already wrestles with a severe lack of options ahead of imperative games.

If you thought things couldn't get any worse than the Ange Postecoglou reign at Tottenham Hotspur, then think again. Under Thomas Frank, the events playing out at Spurs have arguably been even worse.

Under Ange, the football was chaotic, but at least it was exciting. You can't say you were not getting value for money. That Europa League triumph was truly unforgettable.

Yet, for Frank, it's been a horrendous first half-year in north London. Spurs may well have finished in the top eight in the Champions League, but they cannot buy a win at home, and the Dane's points per game record of 1.15 is now the worst of any manager to have led one of your typical 'big six' teams. Yes, it's even worse than Postecoglou's.

So, what's the solution? Spurs have been through more managers than pairs of socks, so perhaps it's time the players had a look at themselves.

The biggest issues facing Thomas Frank at Spurs

As Cristian Romero rather controversially put it last week, it's something of a disgrace that they ended up having just 11 senior players fit.

The squad has been decimated by injury and Frank can rightfully use that as something of an excuse for Spurs' plight in 2025/26. After all, we've now seen just how much better this team looks with Dominic Solanke leading the line.

The striker has returned to full fitness with a bang, scoring two goals against Manchester City last week, which included that special scorpion kick.

So, there is one side of the coin that says we should wait for Spurs to have a proper squad again before we pass judgment on Frank. Xavi Simons may well have signed in the summer but it cannot be underestimated just how big a loss James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have both been this term. The fact that Mohammed Kudus will be missing until April is also a seismic blow.

Injuries have been a huge burden but he's also been let down by several senior players. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has not been at his best, with that mistake against Fulham when Harry Wilson fired home one of his most memorable blunders. From the get-go, Yves Bissouma's attitude has also been questioned with Frank leaving him out of the Super Cup squad due to persistent lateness.

There is Pedro Porro too, who has been suspect defensively and not as strong going forward this season. He may well be a defender but he's not scored and has registered just two assists in 23 Premier League matches.

In 2024/25, he produced as many as six assists in 33 matches and also found the net on two occasions. With so many creative players out injured, Porro's importance should have become greater but like many in Lilywhite, he has found himself struggling.

The nadir of Frank's problems, however, reared its ugly head on Saturday lunchtime.

Time for key Spurs player to leave London behind

This summer feels like an ideal time to have something of a reset to the playing squad. The aforementioned Porro and Bissouma feel like prime candidates to leave while it would not be a surprise to see Vicario head out the exit door. Tottenham have already been linked with Sunderland stopper Robin Roefs as a potential replacement.

Yet, it's hard to dispute that Romero isn't the biggest problem facing Frank and Spurs right now. Forget about the injuries for a second, the Argentine has been a problem for a number of years now and simply has to go.

The centre-back has popped up with some vital moments since arriving under Nuno Santo. His passing and never-say-die attitude can never be called into question. He's a warrior, a leader of men and he's scored important goals. The Newcastle and Burnley strikes are a testament to that.

However, Romero is a defender by trade and he's not leading by example particularly well of late.

He caused a stir last week when he took to social media to call out the lack of availability among the Spurs squad. While Frank did suggest the matter had been dealt with internally, his club captain failed to step up to the plate adequately over the weekend and only made matters worse.

The last thing Spurs needed this week was a suspension and that's exactly what they got. Considering the comments Romero made, this was a moment of madness. His studs met the ankle of Casemiro at force and referee Michael Oliver had no choice but to send him for an early bath.

A mistimed tackle, yes, and perhaps accidental. No player means to hurt an opponent. Yet, Romero has a history in this regard. He will now miss the next four games due to this red card, three for the violent nature of the challenge, and an extra game because this was his second red card of the Premier League season. No other player has that record in 2025/26.

In fact, since the defender joined in 2021, no one has picked up more red cards in the English top-flight (4). To make matters worse, his six red cards in all competitions are the joint-most of any player in Spurs history.

As Chris Waddle said in conversation with Football FanCast last week, it was a surprise that he signed a four-year contract. particularly as it looks "like he's never really wanted to be at Tottenham." A bold claim, sure, and it would not be a surprise if he were no longer at the club beyond the summer.

The fact of the matter is that he's let down the fans and his manager on too many occasions now. Surely it's time to move him on.

Thomas Frank has been dealt yet another injury blow, with one Tottenham Hotspur star now set to join Dejan Kulusevski and others on the sidelines.

Frank: Tottenham "desperate to win games"

Fresh from Cristian Romero's comments slamming those in charge of transfer decisions in North London, the last thing that both he and Spurs needed was his dismissal. The captain complained about squad depth, but has now dealt Frank yet another avoidable issue to deal with in the next four games.

It's a desperate time for Tottenham, who have simply not progressed since finishing in the depths of the bottom half last season. And not even Frank could hide that desperation, admitting just how much his side need a victory against Newcaste United this week.

The Dane told reporters: "There is no doubt we are desperate to win games. Desperate. And I am focusing on Newcastle tomorrow. That is a great opportunity ahead of us against a good team.

"That is the main thing – can we go out there and get three points tomorrow, that will be very good and climb from there and look forward."

What hasn't helped Spurs this season is the absence of Kulusevski. The Swede was one of the few bright sparks last season, but has been injured since May of last year and could yet miss the rest of the current campaign.

The former Juventus man is, of course, not the only injury worry that Frank has to content with right now. Ahead of Tottenham's crucial clash against Newcastle, Spurs have been dealt even more bad news.

Frank confirms extent of Udogie injury

As a rampant Man United shoved the Lilywhites to one side last time out, it was Destiny Udogie who became the latest to limp off. Now, Frank has confirmed that Udogie will miss the next four games at the very least, given that he'll be sidelined for a month.

This means that, like Romero, Udogie will miss the North London derby on Sunday 22 February, as well as games against Crystal Palace, Fulham and Newcastle.

For Frank, it's not just another injury, it's another important absence. Everyone involved at the club will be well aware of Udogie's quality when he is at his best and praise from the Spurs boss earlier this season reflected that.

When your luck is out, your luck is out. For Thomas Frank, he may well be wondering what on earth he's done to upset the footballing gods after Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime.

Since arriving at Spurs, Frank has been through it all. The majority of the squad appear to be injured and while he can use that as something of an excuse, he is now the owner of a shambolic record in north London.

Indeed, the Dane is now the worst manager in 'top six' history, recording a dismal 1.16 points per game average. To put that into context, it's a record that's even worse than Ruben Amorim during his ill-fated spell at Old Trafford.

There are plenty of things going wrong that Frank can control, but he's also being let down by some of his senior players.

The crux of their issues right now, however, may not be Frank, it may not be injuries either. Indeed, club captain Cristian Romero is a big issue.

Tottenham's Cristian Romero issue

This has been a massive week for the Argentine for all of the wrong reasons. Taking to Instagram a few days ago, Romero stated that it was "disgraceful" that the club had only been left with 11 fit players.

Frank was quick to reassure everyone that the matter had been dealt with internally but evidently, Romero is not in the right headspace.

His performance against Manchester United capped off a nightmare period for him, sent off for an over-the-top challenge that now leaves his team further in the lurch.

Considering his comments about team unavailability, this was the worst possible thing the centre-back could have done. After his red card, Romero will now miss the next four matches through suspension.

In all honesty, this wasn't a surprising moment. The defender has had countless problems with ill-discipline since moving to England, becoming the first player to be sent off twice in the Premier League this term.

In total, he has been shown four red cards in league action since arriving in 2021, more than any other player in that time frame. Furthermore, his six red cards for the club are the joint-most of anyone in Spurs' history.

Factor in that he is the club captain and this only makes things worse. That said, the manager has suggested the defender will carry on as captain. This will be no Granit Xhaka moment at Arsenal under Unai Emery.

Previously linked with Real Madrid, it wouldn't be a great surprise if Romero departed in the summer, but he's not the only one whose future should be in doubt.

Who should follow Romero out the exit door at Spurs?

While the immediate future at Spurs may look rather bleak, the long-term future is painted in an exciting way. This is a club who have the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray coming through the ranks. It's impossible to forget about the likes of Luka Vuskovic and Luca Williams-Barnett too.

However, it's hard to find a reason for why Romero will be part of that future. There are plenty of others in the Spurs squad who should be fearing for their future, too. Think Pedro Porro - the right-back whose performances have dwindled in recent seasons. Also think of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario who has endured some rough moments this campaign.

That said, perhaps no one has had a more challenging season than a certain Yves Bissouma.

Truth be told, it's been bad from minute one under Frank for the midfielder who hasn't really been seen much since the manager left him out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup clash with PSG at the beginning of the campaign.

Bissouma was absent due to what was described as 'persistent lateness'. Frank had set his stool out and punished the midfielder. He's struggled to get back into the side since.

Indeed, the £25m signing was not only left out of the club's Champions League squad but he's also missed the vast majority of the season through a knee injury. A stint at AFCON also didn't help his club form.

The Mali midfielder is now fit again but it spoke volumes that even with so many players injured, he was dropped to the bench for the defeat to Manchester United.

Frank trusted him to start against Manchester City a week earlier, but clearly was left to rue that decision when he came off just after the hour mark. During his time on the field, Spurs were pretty terrible, let's be honest here.

It was Bissouma who was at fault for the first goal in that match. He was dispossessed in the middle of the park, which ultimately led to Rayan Cherki finding the back of the net. It was a moment that summed up his time in the capital after moving from Brighton.

Romero might well be in trouble for his ill-discipline, but he's still come up with some massive moments this term. Those goals against Newcastle United and Burnley a few weeks ago are evidence of that.

For Bissouma, however, his future at Spurs looks even more uncertain, irrespective of whether the current manager lasts much longer in the dugout. This summer will surely be the time to get rid.

Tony Cascarino has claimed Tottenham Hotspur would be "better off getting rid" of one of Thomas Frank's key players, who has a "terrible" attitude.

Spurs down to 15th after Man Utd defeat

After finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, Tottenham would've been hoping for a much-improved campaign, but they are currently sitting in 15th place, just six points above the relegation zone, after falling to defeat against Manchester United last time out.

Spurs succumbed to a 2-0 loss against Michael Carrick's side, with Cristiano Romero's first-half red card proving to be a real turning point, and Frank has confirmed the captain has taken responsibility for the dismissal.

The Dane said: "Cristian, first and foremost, there is no intention of doing the follow-through and getting a red. He clearly goes for the ball. Unfortunately, the way the rules are, it becomes a red. Cristian apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room.

"But it is what it is. We need to deal with it. I think a big area we've been working hard on is resilience."

The Argentinian now faces a four-game ban, meaning Frank will be even lighter on options over the next few weeks, during which time his side will face some tough tests, taking on the likes of Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Cascarino has clearly seen enough, with the talkSPORT pundit recently saying: "I just think Tottenham are better off getting rid of him at the end of the season if they can because someone will pay good money for him, and I think they should move on."

The former Chelsea man also added: "Sometimes you have to let good players go, because I'm not questioning his ability, Cristian Romero's ability, I think he has a terrible attitude sometimes and he's incredibly reckless on the football field. That's what he does."

Romero needs to put things right after suspension

It is a little harsh to call for Tottenham to offload the centre-back, considering he has been one of their better performers in the Premier League this season, averaging a FotMob match rating of 7.04, the joint-highest in the squad.

The £195k-a-week defender has averaged 1.5 interceptions per game, the most of any Tottenham player, while an average of 2.8 tackles per match ranks him in second place, with Joao Palhinha way out in front.

The 27-year-old has even proven his worth in the opposite box, scoring four goals in Premier League outings, and even finding the net with a bicycle kick against Newcastle United.

As such, Romero deserves time to put things right, but he needs to improve his discipline and put things right by putting in some top performances upon returning from suspension.

Tottenham Hotspur are now targeting a Premier League star, who blew Thomas Frank away earlier this season.

Spurs looking to bring in attacking reinforcements

Prior to the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, there were some indications Tottenham had started to turn the corner, given that they picked up victories against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

However, the same problems were on display in the loss against Manchester United, with Michael Carrick's side limiting Spurs to an xG of just 0.49 across the entire match.

In fairness, Frank's side were playing with ten men for the majority of the game, with Cristian Romero being dismissed in the first half, but the Dane refused to single his captain out for heavy criticism, saying: "If you look at how many red cards he's had in his career [Romero's], it's not like he's had that many. He plays with passion, and he plays with aggression, and there's a fine line."

Considering the Lilywhites have collected just 29 points all season in the Premier League, and currently sit in 14th place, European qualification is looking increasingly unlikely, which will have a major bearing on the calibre of player they are able to attract in the summer.

However, Tottenham still have lofty ambitions, as they are targeting Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on his YouTube channel (via GiveMeSport), the transfer expert said: "I'm sure Chelsea are still tracking Morgan Rogers as one of the most talented wingers in the game at the moment.

"So Chelsea are still very attentive. For Tottenham, [he] is a dream target, for sure, but at the moment, again, the player was not available last summer. So it was not possible for Tottenham to proceed."

"Unstoppable" Rogers could be statement signing for Spurs

Speaking after Rogers scored in Villa's 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October, Frank said: "If you said to me before the game, ‘they will shoot from there, Rogers and Buendia’, from that situation, I would say, ‘of course, it’s not dangerous’, but fantastic quality shot from Rogers.

"In those very little moments, they had more quality in the end."

The England international is enjoying a brilliant campaign in the Premier League, having already matched his record goal tally in a single top-flight season, most recently netting in his side's 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has also been left very impressed by the Aston Villa star, describing him as "unstoppable", and at 23-years-old, he still has plenty of time to develop even further.

Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has been making headlines this week, and for all the wrong reasons at that.

In the build-up to Spurs' defeat at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, the Argentina centre-back's captaincy was questioned, given his statement after last weekend's draw to Manchester City, criticising the 'disgraceful' board for allowing Thomas Frank's squad to become so depleted.

This one isn't on Frank, but it's the latest in a long line of disappointments, and there are many of a Spurs persuasion who feel the Danish coach's position has become untenable.

The latest on Thomas Frank's Spurs future

ENIC Group and the Lewis family were forced to review Frank's position in the Tottenham dugout during the January transfer window, a matter of months after sacking Ange Postecoglou and shaping a new era.

In many ways, Frank will feel hard done by, but his pragmatic tactics and a general absence of creativity and inspiration have seen the fanbase's mood soured, and many indeed feel he is already on borrowed time.

If Tottenham are forced into making a change, it goes without saying that their course of action needs to fall on fruitful ground; honestly, the fans are fed up of inconsistency and ineptitude.

According to TEAMtalk, the powers that be are showing interest in USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has already said 'yes' to the idea of making a sensational comeback at N17.

If Tottenham are serious about re-appointing Pochettino to put their woes to rights, they wil not land him before the conclusion of the forthcoming World Cup.

Regardless, the interest in the Argentine is understandable. John Heitinga is the frontrunner to lead Tottenham until the summer, should Frank be sacked.

There are other options on the market, but perhaps Poch is worth waiting for.

Why Poch could revive Spurs and Romero

Angeball captured the awe of the Tottenham fanbase for a time, but it's hard to argue against Pochettino instilling the most attractive style and identity at the club for many years. Even though he failed to secure any silverware, the 53-year-old's tenure is remembered fondly.

Not only did he lead the Lilywhites to a Champions League final and sustain a top-four Premier League finish across four campaigns, finishing 2nd with 86 points in 2016/17, but he did so with a beautiful and coherent system, with Dele Alli once marvelling at the manager's "amazing" tactical knowledge.

With this in mind, Poch could be the man to rekindle this current Spurs side; not only does he know the club, but he brings a balanced identity that would get the fans back on board.

He could be the man to revive Romero, who is ostensibly angling for the exit but might be tempted to stay with Pochettino at the helm in place of Frank.

Despite his flaws, Romero is still one of the most talented centre-backs in the world. Indeed, when you compare his stats against those of his partner, Micky van de Ven, you begin to see how much he brings to the table.

Pochettino knows a thing or two about creating a strong and dynamic backline; Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are two of the greatest Spurs defenders in modern times, after all. It was they who were the bedrock of the team when they reached the final of the Champions League and they were also imperative as Spurs challenged at the end of the table. Perhaps the same could occur here? Van de ven and Romero are both good enough to replicate that partnership.

From a technical standpoint, Romero is possibly the cream of the crop of all of those names. Linked with a moveto Madrid for a reason, the 2022 World Cup champion could finally return to his finest form under Pochettino's wing.

Of course, there's the small matter of his future, with recent reports suggesting - prior the recent defeat to Manchester United - that he's unhappy amid strong interest from Spanish suitors.

But the Argentine star is contracted to north London until 2029, and the Lewis family are not going to short-change themselves by accepting any old offer.

Tottenham are believed to be eyeing up the opportunity of signing a summer free agent who cost his current club a whopping £130 million, according to a fresh report.

On the pitch, Spurs' miserable campaign hit a fresh low at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as a 2-0 defeat to Man United left Thomas Frank's struggling side flirting with the relegation scrap.

Captain Cristian Romero's reckless first-half dismissal proved the turning point, with the Argentine receiving a straight red card for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Casemiro after just 29 minutes.

The sending-off came mere days after Romero sparked controversy with an Instagram outburst blasting the club's transfer policy, ironically highlighting the squad depth issues he subsequently worsened.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes condemned ten-man Spurs to their seventh consecutive Premier League match without victory, a catastrophic run that has plunged the north London outfit into genuine danger.

Frank's side now sit 14th in the table, just six points above the drop zone, with their campaign threatening to unravel completely.

The four-match suspension handed to Romero for his second red card of the season means Spurs will tackle crucial upcoming fixtures without their defensive lynchpin, including the North London derby against Arsenal alongside clashes with Newcastle, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Romero apologised to teammates in the dressing room following his costly mistake, though the damage to Tottenham's Champions League qualification hopes may already prove irreparable.

Tottenham eye Dušan Vlahović on free summer transfer

Following the Argentine's outburst over Tottenham's transfer policy, a new report has claimed that Spurs are exploring a sensational free transfer swoop for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović ahead of the summer window.

The Serbia international becomes available on a Bosman when his Turin contract expires in June, with renewal negotiations having completely broken down.

Vlahovic currently earns around £202,000-per-week at Juve and has rejected the club's demands he accept a significant wage reduction.

According to Foot Mercato and journalist Valentin Feuillette, Vlahovic has cost the Old Lady a whopping £130 million, including transfer fee, bonuses, salary, and agent fees, but he is now poised to leave for nothing this year.

The same source claims multiple Premier League clubs are circling, with Tottenham and Chelsea both eyeing a summer move for Vlahovic after Borussia Dortmund made a January approach.

The striker has scored six goals across all competitions this season despite limited opportunities recently, showcasing the clinical edge Spurs desperately lack.

His physical presence and technical quality would provide a real goalscoring threat for Frank, with Richarlison's long-term future uncertain and Randal Kolo Muani likely to return to PSG.

Tottenham are at risk of waving goodbye to a 'top talent' who's thinking about leaving, according to reports this week, with the player receiving 'several' proposals in January.

Following Thomas Frank's lacklusture debut campaign in the Spurs dugout, we've already seen multiple claims in the last few days that a few key names could depart N17.

Spurs' already catastrophic season threatens spiraling into further chaos following alarming reports suggesting that captain Cristian Romero has decided to quit the club this summer.

Argentine journalist Gaston Edul dropped a bombshell earlier this week claiming the World Cup-winning defender will definitely depart north London when the transfer window reopens in June.

Interest from La Liga remains strong, with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid both reportedly keen on securing the 27-year-old's signature.

The centre-back publicly criticised the hierarchy for failing to adequately address the club's crippling injury crisis during January.

Spurs managed just two senior signings throughout the entire window — former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher arriving from Atlético alongside young left-back Souza.

That minimal recruitment has left Frank's squad woefully short despite injuries decimating the squad.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich continue circling Croatian teenage sensation Luka Vuskovic, who has enjoyed a sensational loan spell at Hamburg this campaign.

The 18-year-old centre-back has started 17 Bundesliga matches whilst scoring four goals, including a spectacular header against Bayern themselves last weekend.

Vuskovic represents a potential ready-made replacement should Romero depart, though Tottenham face a significant battle convincing the teenager that opportunities await him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As well as Vuskovic, Spurs are now apparently flirting with the prospect of losing another rising star.

Tottenham at risk of losing Tynan Thompson after 'several' January bids

That is according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who wrote via X that N17 sensation Tynan Thompson is now considering his future at Tottenham.

The England Under-18 international was subject to 'several' rejected offers in January, so he's a young star in high demand, and he is apparently thinking about quitting the club.

Thompson has emerged as one of the brightest prospects within Tottenham's academy setup, catching attention from multiple clubs eager to secure his services.

The 17-year-old left-winger joined Spurs' youth ranks from Lambeth Tigers and has progressed impressively through the age groups.

Tottenham's decision to block his departure in January despite receiving concrete offers has left Thompson questioning whether genuine opportunities exist for him in north London, but it shows how highly the club rate him.

The situation mirrors concerns plaguing numerous academy graduates who have struggled to break into Frank's first-team plans.

Losing Thompson would represent another blow for Tottenham's youth development pathway.

The club have invested significant resources developing the London-born talent only to potentially watch him walk away frustrated by lack of senior opportunities.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure after a dismal first campaign in charge which sees the Lilywhites languishing in midtable, and Spurs are believed to be weighing up his future behind-the-scenes.

The former Brentford boss arrived at N17 last summer with genuine optimism that he could restore Spurs back amongst the Premier League elite.

Instead, the 52-year-old has presided over what ranks amongst the most miserable seasons in recent memory for the fallen giants.

Tottenham currently lie 14th in the table, closer to the relegation spots than a place in the top four, which is a catastrophic outcome for a club that demands European qualification at an absolute minimum.

The gap between Frank's struggling side and those coveted Champions League spots looks increasingly unbridgeable with each passing week.

Last weekend's credible 2-2 stalemate against Man City offered brief respite from the negativity swirling around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, one decent result against Pep Guardiola's side cannot possibly disguise the underlying mess Frank has created.

The upcoming fixture schedule offers precious little encouragement for the embattled manager either.

Upcoming clashes against Man United, Newcastle and fierce rivals Arsenal represent potential banana skins that could accelerate Frank's exit from the club.

Tottenham failed to back Frank with a proven new forward in January too, only adding to the Dane's woes, with Spurs instead settling on deals for Conor Gallagher and young Brazilian left-back Souza.

Behind closed doors at Tottenham, patience amongst the hierarchy has worn dangerously thin.

Whispers suggest that another string of poor outcomes would trigger Frank's immediate dismissal, bringing a swift conclusion to what's been an ill-fated marriage between manager and club.

Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who guided them to successive top four finishes with barely any transfer backing and spearheaded a Champions League final place in 2019, is a rumoured candidate to succeed Frank.

Mauricio Pochettino 'would unequivocally accept' Tottenham job

TEAMtalk have shared a fresh update on this, and it appears the USA manager is very keen on the possibility of a reunion.

United also remain keen admirers of Pochettino amid their own ongoing manager hunt, but an inside source is quoted saying Spurs' pull is "too strong to ignore" for the ex-Southampton, PSG and Chelsea boss.

According to TT, Pochettino 'would unequivocally accept' the Tottenham job if offered it after the World Cup this year, where he is set to lead the USA as they host the tournament on home soil.

In the meantime, it is believed that John Heitinga has emerged as the leading candidate to step into the role on an interim basis, should Frank get the chop before summer arrives.

The Dutchman already works within Frank's coaching setup at Tottenham, making him the logical stopgap appointment until better options materialise.

Pochettino departed Spurs abruptly back in 2019 despite guiding them to a Champions League final just months earlier.

That sense of unfinished business has never truly left the 52-year-old, who retains enormous affection for the club where he enjoyed his greatest managerial success.