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Thomas Frank oversaw back-to-back draws in Tottenham’s pre-season fixtures against Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town.

Spurs drew 2-2 with Wycombe at home on Saturday morning (26 July) before travelling to Kenilworth Road to play out a goalless draw against Luton in the afternoon.

The day did not get off to an ideal start as Rodrigo Bentancur was replaced just before kick-off due to an illness, before Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie were ruled out with minor injuries.

Both games were fairly unspectacular as Frank fielded two different starting XI’s, but they did give an insight into where the team stands as Tottenham News picks out two winners and losers from the double-header.

Pape Matar Sarr scores a brace

Pape Matar Sarr kicked off the scoring against Wycombe by reacting quickly to a rebound off Wilson Odobert’s shot before coming up trumps again with an assured finish to equalise the game late on.

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It was unclear how Frank would use Sarr this season, and he opted to start the 22-year-old behind Richarlison in a hybrid attacking midfield/second striker role.

The Senegal international justified the decision with the brace, and really came to the fore in the second half with his constant running when others seemed to tire, giving his manager plenty of positives to think about.

Son Heung-min continues to show his age

Son Heung-min followed up his wayward performance at Reading with another underwhelming display against League One opposition.

The South Korean did almost produce a moment of magic in the second half, but was largely a passenger in the game and once again struggled to beat his man.

Son could be set to leave Spurs this summer, and at 33 years old, it may be the right call, as the Tottenham legend is showing that age is starting to catch up with him.

Antonin Kinksy rescues a point for Spurs

Kinsky came on in the second half against Luton and made two excellent saves to keep a clean sheet as the Hatters pushed for a winner.

The 22-year-old shotstopper displayed his excellent passing range from the back, but impressed most with his commanding presence in the box, especially after Frank changed nine outfield players towards the end.

Guglielmo Vicario did nothing wrong with his first-half performance, but he will feel that Kinsky’s case to challenge for the starting spot is growing.

Djed Spence flatters to deceive at right-back

Djed Spence looked unsettled for most of the game, and almost handed Luton a big chance with a misplaced pass to George Saville before resorting to bringing the player down.

The full-back gave away a few more sloppy free-kicks throughout the game, and hardly contributed to Spurs going forward in an overall disappointing display.

Spence had the misfortune of playing straight after Pedro Porro put in a brilliant performance against Wycombe, which only further emphasised his poor showing and will not have helped his chances of starting in the Super Cup next month.

Dominic Solanke was absent for both friendly games against Wycombe and Luton on Saturday.

Tottenham kicked off the day with a 2-2 draw against Wycombe Wanderers at Hotspur Way (26 July) before setting off on a 30-mile trip across to Kenilworth Road to face Luton.

Frank was expected to give all his senior players minutes, but Rodrigo Bentancur was pulled out of the first game at the last minute due to illness and was duly replaced by George Abbott.

As team news rolled in for Luton, another notable absentee was revealed in Solanke, who was not named in either squad.

The reason for the striker’s absence has now been explained.

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Solanke misses out due to minor ankle injury

When Tottenham released the team news for Luton, fans became alarmed upon quickly noticing Solanke’s absence.

Richarlison was given expected match minutes in the first game, and with no prior announcement regarding the England international, the Lilywhites were fully expecting him to lead the line against the Hatters.

However, Tottenham officially posted an explanation on X shortly after announcing the team news, stating that Solanke was left out of both fixtures as a precaution due to a minor ankle injury.

Mathys Tel, who was named in the starting XI, will likely replace the 27-year-old up front, with Mohammed Kudus set to play behind him as a second striker.

Solanke injury sends warning to Spurs

While Tottenham were quick to point out that Solanke’s absence is just precautionary, it still serves as a timely warning to the Lilywhites that they should be looking to sign a striker this summer.

Spurs were far too reliant on the former Bournemouth man last season, and there was a notable drop-off in performances when he was absent.

Richarlison suffered his own fitness issues, making just four Premier League starts in the previous campaign, while Tel and Son Heung-min struggled to adapt to the centre-forward role.

Therefore, it would be wise to bring in another player, such as Armaud Kaliumendo or Yoane Wissa, to offer both competition and, more importantly, adequate cover for Solanke.

This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.

George Abbott has been urged to aim higher when considering his future away from Tottenham.

Abbott replaced the unwell Rodrigo Bentancur for Tottenham during their 2-2 pre-season draw against Wycombe (26 July) at Hotspur Way.

However, cementing a place in the first team next season could prove difficult.

Therefore, with Ashley Phillips already returning to Stoke City for another season-long loan, Abbott has a lot to think about in the coming days.

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Abbott urged to consider Championship loan

Abbott’s season-long loan at Notts County saw his beautiful volley from a corner kick against Accrington Stanley voted EFL Goal of the Season.

The loan spell was important for his development. During the 2024/25 season, Abbott netted six goals and provided seven assists in 47 appearances for the League Two side.

With over 4,000 minutes played last year, the 19-year-old will want to play regularly again next season.

As such, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that another loan would be best for Abbott. However, he has urged the defensive midfielder to aim for a Championship side.

“With Abbott, I think he needs to move up two divisions,” Wenham said.

“I think he’s good enough because he’s versatile and can play right back or centre midfield. I think he should be aiming for a Championship club.

“Which one that is, I don’t know, but I think he deserves to go into the Championship for his loan, having done so well in League Two last year”

Abbott should be loaned out

With the talent on display at Tottenham, it will be almost impossible for Abbott to receive adequate minutes to continue his development.

As a result, another loan should be at the forefront of the young midfielder’s mind in the coming days. While a Championship loan would better help him to prepare for the pace of the Premier League, a loan to another English division would also be suitable.

For Abbott, the most important aim should be getting enough game time to hone his craft. Therefore, it would not come as a surprise if Tottenham announce another loan for the teenager this summer.

Tottenham’s second pre-season fixture against Wycombe ended in a 2-2 draw with a stand-out performance from Pedro Porro.

Thomas Frank explained that he wanted to give his players a little more time to prepare for the forthcoming season.

As a result, in addition to the clash with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday (26 July), the Lilywhites arranged a friendly with Wycombe Wanderers at Hotspur Way.

It is hoped that the minutes will give the players a little more spring in their step and Frank a better idea of the strengths of the team at his disposal.

After starting well, Wycombe came knocking, putting two past Spurs. Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring for Tottenham after putting away a rebound shot, while Armando Junior Quitirna equalised with his first meaningful attempt.

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Quitirna scored a double to put Wycombe ahead during the second half, while Sarr netted his second to mark the end of an eventful 2-2 draw at Hotspur Way.

Porro unbelievable for Tottenham v Wycombe

Porro’s performance against Wycombe provided a glimpse of the magic fans could see from him under Frank next season.

The fullback took on an advanced role at Hotspur Way, becoming the main attacking threat down the right-hand side.

He was influential in Spurs’ opening goal after his cross was latched onto by Wilson Odobert, whose attempt was saved by the keeper, with Sarr positioned perfectly to score the rebound.

His partnership with Odobert on the right flank was fluid, with the right winger occupying a deeper role at times to allow Porro to undertake an advanced position. However, there were several times where the right-back sat back to create from deep, sending multiple menacing balls Odobert’s way.

With his plethora of perfectly weighted passes and liveliness down the right flank, Tottenham fans are bound to see an even more attacking version of Porro next season.

Son Heung-min not good enough against Wycombe

The Tottenham captain had some bright sparks in the second half, almost scoring the equaliser for his team after excellent play down the left flank.

However, Son Heung-min failed to make an impact for large parts of the game. In the first half, he was next to invisible as he found it difficult to bypass his man on the wing.

This disappointing performance was not dissimilar from his showing during Spurs’ pre-season opener against Reading, which fuelled departure speculation further. Indeed, Son could leave Spurs this summer after attracting interest from several clubs.

His performance against Wycombe once again reaffirmed that his head may be miles away from Hotspur Way.

With several impressive showings during the clash, including Tynan Thompson, who set up Spurs’ second goal, it could be time for Son to leave after a decade at Tottenham.

Tottenham player ratings v Wycombe

Brandon Austin – 4

Pedro Porro – 9

Cristian Romero – 6

Luca Vuskovic – 5

Ben Davies – 5

George Abbott – 6

Lucas Begvall – 5

Pape Matar Sarr – 8

Wilson Odobert – 8

Richarlison – 6

Son Heung-min – 4

Subs

Oliver Irow – 6 (For Richarlison 62′)

Tynan Thompson – 7 (For Odobert 62′)

Callum Oulsesi 76′ – 5

Tyrese Hall 76′ – 6

Luca Williams-Barnett 76′ – 6

Dante Cassanova 76′ – 5

Yusef Akhamrich 76′ – 5

Pele Arganese-McDermott 76′ – 5

Ellis Lehane 76′ – 6

Tyrell Ashcroft 76′ – 5

Tottenham are set to be without Dejan Kulusevski for a little longer than first anticipated, as a fresh injury update has now been shared.

Spurs have been without Kulusevski since the Swede suffered an injury during a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (11 May).

The right winger was one of the Lilywhites’ better players last season, and his absence was considered a huge loss.

And it doesn’t look as though Kulusevski’s return is imminent.

Kulusevski not expected to return for the start of next season

Tottenham have continued their pre-season preparations with a game against Wycombe behind closed doors at Hotspur Way.

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The confrontation had been hastily put together, with Thomas Frank determined to give his players more time to find their best form.

SPURSPLAY commentator Rob Daly gave an update 25 minutes into the first half regarding James Maddison and Kulusevski’s recoveries.

He said: “Maddison has rejoined training with the group, although Kulusevski will not be ready for the start of the season.”

Tottenham fans will no doubt rejoice at the news about Maddison after spending several weeks without watching their midfield maestro. However, Kulusevski’s update will come as a huge blow for Frank, who would have wanted him in time for the forthcoming season.

Kulusevski could find it difficult to win back his starting spot

The news of his recovery could come as a bigger blow for Kulusevski than for Tottenham.

Indeed, he would have found it hard to maintain his starting spot if he were fit before the start of next season. However, with the arrival of Mohammed Kudus and Maddison back in training, he could be moved out of that midfield position for good.

Kudus shone for Spurs during his debut against Reading and looked lethal when creating behind a striker and down the right wing. Furthermore, the good news about Maddison’s recovery should give him a head start to solidify his place in Frank’s plans.

As a result, Kulusevski could find himself back on the right wing despite preferring to operate in the midfield.

Daniel Levy is always considering his finances at Tottenham, and that is not expected to change now that Mikey Moore is pushing for an exit.

Moore reaped the rewards of his talent and dedication when he became a constant feature in the first team squad last season.

It was suggested that the left-winger could blossom further under Thomas Frank’s guidance. However, it seems that a loan exit is the likely outcome for Moore this summer.

Tottenham to save £520,000 in wages if Moore leaves

While Tottenham initially wanted to keep Moore, the 17-year-old has been linked with a departure throughout the summer window.

A permanent transfer was the first point of call, with Italian giants Juventus interested in the young winger. However, a loan move seems like the more likely outcome.

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As reported by Football London (25 July), Moore’s camp are pushing for a temporary exit this summer, with several clubs in England and abroad willing to sign the Englishman.

Spurs are keen to tie him down to a long-term deal and remain in talks with the talented winger over a new contract, with Moore’s current deal set to expire in June 2027.

However, there is both a financial and developmental incentive for the North London club to agree to a loan. According to Capology, Moore is currently on a £260,000 yearly salary at Tottenham, which the club could bank if his loanee club agrees to cover his wages.

If Moore is sold at the end of his loan or undergoes a second loan spell, the club could save £520,000 over the next two years. With Spurs reportedly looking to offer him a new contract this summer, there is no doubt that this sum could amount to more in the coming days.

Moore is not the only player Tottenham should loan out

Frank has a big squad at his disposal, which could turn out to be a blessing as well as a curse.

The Tottenham defence, in particular, is overflowing with quality, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven considered two of the best central defenders in the Premier League.

Furthermore, Luka Vuskovic’s impressive display against Reading will give Frank a lot more to think about. As a result, Kota Takai is another player who should consider a loan this summer.

Fresh from the J1 League, a loan will help him to better adapt to the pace of English football, so that he will hit the ground running when starting in the Premier League. As such, a move to a first or second division club seems like the best option for the young defender.

Rodrigo Bentancur was replaced in the starting lineup ahead of kick-off between Tottenham and Wycombe Wanderers.

Thomas Frank’s side are playing two friendlies on Saturday (26 July), a behind-closed-doors clash with Wycombe at Hotspur Way, before a meeting with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Bentancur was initially named in the starting lineup for the game against Wycombe, which kicked off at 11am, but was withdrawn and replaced by George Abbott.

The reason for Bentancur’s absence has now been explained.

Bentancur pulls out of Tottenham v Wycombe with illness

Frank replaced Bentancur with young talent Abbott less than an hour before kick-off against Wycombe, with fans puzzled by the sudden decision.

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The Uruguayan had been selected alongside Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr, who opened the scoring at Hotspur Way, in the middle of the park.

However, as explained by Rob Daly on commentary during SPURSPLAY’s live coverage of the Wycombe clash, Bentancur was replaced due to illness.

The midfielder has been unlucky with absences throughout his time at Spurs, and this is the latest frustration he will face ahead of the new season.

Bentancur’s Spurs place in doubt

Although a key player when available, Bentancur may no longer be relied upon by Tottenham, and the potential signing of Joao Palhinha could spell trouble for the former Juventus star.

The midfielder missed chunks of last season through a ban, while previous campaigns were marred by long-term injuries.

This disruption to his pre-season preparation is a frustrating one, as it will put Bentancur at a disadvantage when it comes to his match fitness compared to his teammates.

If he cannot build up his fitness by the time a new midfielder such as Palhinha joins, Bentancur may find himself out of Frank’s starting XI, and he will have to work hard to regain his place.

This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.

Luka Vuskovic has made quite the impression at Tottenham since arriving at Hotspur Way this summer.

Vuskovic finally arrived in North London after Tottenham signed the defender from Hajduk Split in 2023.

There were high expectations for the centre-back before he arrived at Hotspur Way. However, these have exploded since he officially started at Tottenham.

As a result, Thomas Frank will have some big decisions to make as the forthcoming season unfolds.

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Vuskovic to start over Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been Tottenham’s starting centre-back duo over the past couple of years.

However, Vuskovic’s recent performance in Spurs’ 2-0 pre-season win against Reading seems to have thrown a spanner in the works. Upon his debut for the club, the young centre-back netted and assisted during the second half.

As a result, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Vuskovic could replace either Romero or van de Ven in the starting lineup at some point in the next year.

“I would say within the next 12 months, Vuskovic will be our starting centre back,” Wenham said.

“He’s just a menace. The way that Gabriel Magalhaes for Arsenal is such a danger from those set pieces, Vuskovic is the same. He showed it last year in Belgium, and he’s already doing it for Tottenham.

“He is a massive danger going forward. Also, against Reading, the way he was barking out instructions at the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, van de Ven, players with far more experience than him, it shows he’s got a real authority about him.

“He’s composed, he’s calm, there was no panicking, he’s a natural leader, and he looks like a phenomenal signing, and I honestly think within this season, he will replace one of our two centre-backs.”

Vuskovic could become world-class

While it is too early to say that Vuskovic is world-class, he has the potential to become a world-beater.

The Tottenham defender is a unique profile who has a strong defensive presence but can also help out during attacking phases of play. This stems from building out from the back and also scoring goals.

As such, he has the talent and, as of right now, the mentality to become one of the best defenders in the world. However, it is up to Tottenham to help hone his craft to make this a reality.

Mikey Moore will have his pick of the litter this summer as an exit from Tottenham draws closer.

Moore had a debut season to remember after being entrusted by Ange Postecoglou to help lead his frontline.

The Englishman gave Spurs an injection of youth on their left-hand side, with age catching up to club legend Son Heung-min.

However, it seems that a loan move is on the cards this summer as Thomas Frank continues his preparations for the upcoming season.

Scottish giants want Moore on loan

Moore has become a reference point for academy players looking to get the nod at Tottenham.

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However, he still saw just 902 minutes last season despite making 20 appearances in all competitions.

The possible departure of Son this summer at first glance presents an obvious solution. However, with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel and Spurs still on the lookout to sign another winger, a departure could be the better option.

Moore’s camp seems to agree with this assessment, as they are reportedly pushing for a loan move.

As reported by Lilywhite Rose via X on Friday (25 July), multiple Championship clubs want to sign Moore on loan. However, Scottish giants are also strongly pushing to welcome the England Under-19 international.

This club could have UEFA Champions League football to offer the left winger, which narrows it down to either Celtic or Rangers.

Moore would benefit from a loan

Moore is entering a critical point of his development, where game time is essential to continue his upward trajectory.

While Tottenham could play at least 50 games next season with the addition of Champions League football, Moore could still struggle to receive adequate minutes.

As a result, a season-long loan may be the best option for all involved in his career progression plan. A Championship loan would be best to maintain his understanding of the pace of English football.

West Brom could be a viable option now that former Tottenham assistant coach Ryan Mason has taken up the managerial position. It would be perfect for Moore to develop under a coach who understands how he likes to play and is familiar with his game.

Therefore, both Moore and Tottenham should work towards getting a loan deal signed this summer.

Thomas Frank is determined to maximise pre-season at Tottenham ahead of the UEFA Super Cup.

Frank will see his side play two separate friendly fixtures, against Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town, on the same day (26 July) as he continues to ramp up Spurs’ pre-season preparations.

The Dane is eager to have his squad completely up to speed ahead of his first competitive fixture, where Spurs will take on Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup.

Frank will also hope to have finalised deals for his remaining transfer targets in time for the fixture, and has been handed a timely boost by the Ligue 1 giants.

Paris Saint-Germain delay return to pre-season training

Daniel Levy hired Frank with the task of ensuring Tottenham can compete across multiple fronts, and will expect the Dane to start his tenure by securing a piece of silverware.

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Facing the reigning European champions and Club World Cup finalists is the definition of trial by fire for the former Brentford manager, but it provides him with a platform to endear himself to the Lilywhites with a positive result.

Therefore, Frank will be pleased to find out that PSG have delayed their return to pre-season training by two days, with Luis Enrique’s men now set to return on 6 August, as reported by L’Equipe (25 July).

The change is designed to allow players more time to recover after their summer exploits, leaving them with just one week of training ahead of their clash with Tottenham.

This will give Frank a golden opportunity to find an edge over the French side, as his squad should be much sharper and in a far better physical condition ahead of the contest.

Tottenham must avoid a bruising loss to PSG

Everyone associated with Tottenham will naturally be hoping to beat the French side and claim another trophy. However, Frank’s priority will more likely be avoiding a heavy defeat.

There has been a lot of positivity among the fanbase for what the Dane will bring to Hotspur Way, while signings like Mohammed Kudus have heightened the anticipation for next season.

However, the Lilywhites’ patience in starting new projects all the time under Levy is wearing thin, and they will quickly revert to feelings of disgruntlement if Spurs get off to a bad start.

Therefore, Frank’s main aim will be to avoid a bruising defeat to PSG, who are capable of blowing teams away, to ensure his tenure does not start on a negative note.