FootballFanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have endured some early success under Thomas Frank after the Dane took the reins during the off-season, only tasting defeat once across all competitions to date.

The 51-year-old had the opportunity to improve and strengthen the front line, subsequently making various additions ahead of his first campaign in charge of the Lilywhites.

Mohammed Kudus was the highest profile addition in such a department, costing a fee in the region of £55m from West Ham United - but a figure that looks to be a bargain given his immediate impact.

The Ghanaian has already registered four assists in his first five Premier League outings, being a part of nearly 50% of the first-team’s league goals in 2025/26.

Randal Kolo Muani was also brought into the club during the summer window, but has been restricted to just 13 minutes of senior action due to injuries and fitness setbacks.

However, the club could’ve been in a much better place had Frank had the opportunity to work with one player who managed to thrive under his guidance at Brentford.

Ivan Toney’s time playing for Frank at Brentford

During his seven years in charge of Brentford, Frank was able to rely on Ivan Toney for a four-year period, with the striker constantly producing the goods in front of goal.

The Englishman netted 72 goals in his 141 appearances for the Bees, averaging nearly a goal every two games - with 36 of his efforts coming in England’s top-flight.

Toney came up against the Lilywhites on five occasions, failing to win any of the encounters, but he did manage to find the back of the net on two separate occasions.

It was also reported that former boss Ange Postecoglou was monitoring the 29-year-old, but they decided to pursue a move for Dominic Solanke instead - with Toney subsequently joining Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.

Had the hierarchy made a move for the former Brentford star, it could’ve proved to be a blessing in disguise - especially after Frank took the reins in North London in recent months.

However, such a move will remain a case of what could’ve been, but the hierarchy may have also made a mistake in allowing one other talent to depart the club.

The Spurs star who could’ve been Frank’s next Toney

Top-level attacking talents haven’t been alien to Tottenham Hotspur supporters, as seen by Harry Kane’s decade-long spell as a first-team member in North London.

The England international racked up over 400 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring on 280 occasions - subsequently becoming the club’s record goalscorer in their history.

Whilst he didn’t win a single trophy with the club’s first-team, he produced numerous moments of magic, none more so than in the North London Derby against local rivals, Arsenal.

He managed to score on 15 occasions against the Gunners in his 21 appearances, the third-best record against any team in his professional career at present.

However, another attacker who could’ve been Frank’s next talisman is Troy Parrott, with the hierarchy potentially offloading the talisman way too soon, given his recent form away from the club.

The Irishman joined the Lilywhites at the age of 15, spending various years in the youth system, before being sent on countless loan spells away from North London.

He joined the likes of Millwall, Ipswich Town and Preston North End, but it wasn’t enough to catapult himself into the first team plans - subsequently joining Excelsior on loan in 2023/24.

Such a spell would catapult him to stardom, scoring 17 times in his 32 appearances for the Dutch outfit - a spell that saw him permanently depart Spurs for a fee in the region of £7m, with former chairman Daniel Levy sanctioning his departure.

He would join Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on a permanent basis, already making himself a fan favourite in his 12 months in the Netherlands - registering a total of 30 goals in his 54 appearances.

Parrott, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has since become one of Europe’s hottest talents, especially after netting 10 goals in his first seven outings of 2025/26.

Given such a record, Spurs must be regretting their decision to sell the talent, with the Irishman having all the tools to star under Frank had they kept hold of him a couple of years ago.

Parrott could have been the Dane’s next leading talisman, just like Toney was, but he will now remain a case of what could’ve been after his £7m departure last summer.

Tottenham Hotspur avoided an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat last night, subsequently claiming a 3-0 victory over League One Doncaster Rovers.

The win keeps Thomas Frank’s hopes of claiming a trophy in his first year as Lilywhites boss alive, with a trip to face current holders Newcastle United awaiting them in round four.

It may have only been against a team two divisions below them, but the Dane will have been impressed with the relentless nature of the performance, which saw the Lilywhites have 55% possession.

Such an outing gave numerous fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a regular role in the starting eleven, with the Dane having some incredible strength in depth currently at his disposal.

However, the victory also allowed one other player to finally get the opportunity he’s craved to feature in his natural position after being forced to operate in an unnatural role as of late.

Xavi Simons’ performance against Doncaster

After joining in a £52m deal from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window, Xavi Simons became a player with huge expectations at Spurs, but he’s so far struggled to reach the levels many hoped for.

He’s mainly operated in a wide left role, but he was handed a start in a more familiar central role against Doncaster last night - taking advantage of the opportunity handed his way.

The Dutchman featured for a little over an hour, but had a huge impact on proceedings - as seen by the underlying stats that he produced in North London.

Simons created seven chances and won four fouls - with both tallies being the most of any player on the pitch - subsequently highlighting the threat he posed to Grant McCann’s side.

He also completed 97% of the passes he attempted, with four of his efforts being into the final third - allowing him to create one big chance in the process.

Whilst he was unable to register a goal or assist last night, the 22-year-old looked a constant nuisance in the number ten role, with Frank needing to stick with him in such a position.

However, one other first-team player managed to impress, now arguably being just as important as the Dutchman, given his own impressive display against Donny last night.

The Spurs star who is becoming as important as Simons

Given the sheer volume of competitions this season, Frank needs to have every Spurs player up to scratch to try and allow for success in various tournaments.

His side have already claimed wins in three separate competitions in 2025/26, with the side already impressing in the Premier League, Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

Simons has started all but one game since making his big-money move to join the Lilywhites, but the Dutchman has rapidly developed into a key player for the Dane as a result of his creativity.

However, he’s not the only summer addition who’s already impressed in North London, with Joao Palhinha immediately exceeding all expectations placed upon him after his loan move to the club.

The Portuguese international joined from Bayern Munich, but to the disappointment of many, with the 30-year-old not seen as the man to improve the first-team squad.

He’s already scored twice despite his deep-lying role, with his latest effort coming against Doncaster last night - producing an incredible acrobatic effort which opened the scoring.

Palhinha also featured out of position at centre-back, but still managed to thrive, producing numerous incredible figures that helped the Lilywhites claim a crucial victory.

The former Fulham star completed 63 passes, at a completion rate of 90%, with the former of the two stats the most of any player who featured during the contest on home soil.

Despite his defensive role, he also managed to complete four passes into the final third, able to provide those ahead of him with the chances to impress in front of goal.

However, Palhinha dominated without the ball, making two tackles, six clearances and one interception - helping the Lilywhites keep their fifth clean sheet of the 2025/26 campaign.

As a result of his showing, the loanee was handed a superb 9/10 match rating by The Standard’s journalist Matt Verri, further showcasing how impressive he was during the victory.

After such a display, Frank simply can’t afford to drop the Portuguese international from his starting eleven, with the experienced talent on a phenomenal run of form in the first team of late.

Should he continue his current impressive form for the Lilywhites, there’s no reason as to why Palhinha can’t be as undroppable as Simons, with the pair able to catapult the side to new heights in the months ahead when operating together.

Tottenham Hotspur breezed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup last night, after beating League One outfit Doncaster Rovers 3-0 in North London.

Goals from Joao Palhinha, Brennan Johnson and an own goal from Jay McGrath secured the win for Thomas Frank’s men, setting up a fifth-round clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The showing on home soil last night was an extremely professional one, avoiding a slip-up and keeping their hopes alive of securing a trophy during the Dane’s maiden campaign in charge.

A strong side was certainly fielded in the meeting with Grant McCann’s side, as the new boss looked to keep the continuity that he’s built in recent weeks flowing ahead of Premier League action this weekend.

However, numerous players failed to grab their first-team opportunity with both hands, potentially leading to the 51-year-old looking past them for their clash with Wolves on Saturday.

Spurs’ poor performers against Doncaster last night

Brennan Johnson has seemingly fallen down the pecking order over the past couple of weeks, subsequently being named as a substitute in each of the last three of Spurs’ league outings.

However, the Welsh international was handed a start against Doncaster last night, subsequently getting on the scoresheet in the closing minutes of the encounter in North London.

The 24-year-old had the least amount of touches of any player to play 90 minutes (36), whilst also being caught offside three times - showcasing his lack of positive impact against the League One outfit.

Johnson wasn’t alone in failing to capture the opportunity handed his way, with Djed Spence also looking lacklustre against the opposition two divisions below them in the pyramid.

The full-back failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst only winning one of the five duels he entered - often struggling to get the better of his opposite number.

However, despite the showings of the aforementioned duo, one other starter for Frank’s side looked way below the level expected, which should result in the player being dropped once again.

The 5/10 Spurs player who must be axed

Coming up against League One opposition was always going to be a tricky task for Spurs and Frank, but it was one that the side navigated with flying colours.

The Lilywhites restricted Donny to just two shots on target in the 90-minute display in North London, subsequently keeping their fifth clean sheet in the 2025/26 campaign to date.

Whether it be Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso or Palhinha at the heart of the defence, the side have still managed to thrive without the ball.

Frank’s arrival has certainly added the needed defensive solidity that has been greatly missed in recent years - hopefully allowing the club to compete for more trophies in the months ahead.

In the attacking third, Richarlison has been one of the side’s leading talismen, scoring three times to date, but the Brazilian was handed a needed rest in the win last night.

Such a decision gave Mathys Tel the chance to start just his second outing of the new campaign, but it was one that he failed to take - ultimately enduring a night to forget.

The Frenchman featured for 87 minutes and failed to get himself on the scoresheet, but it was his underlying stats which highlighted his lack of impact in Frank’s side.

The 20-year-old registered two shots on goal, only one of which was on target, whilst also missing one big chance - showcasing his wasteful nature when in possession.

He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst losing 60% of the duels he entered - often being dominated by the side two divisions below the Lilywhites.

Tel could only register a total of 29 touches during his time on the pitch, a total fewer than that of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who registered 35 - further highlighting his lack of positive impact.

To top off his dismal showing, the former Bayern Munich talent was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Football London’s Alasdair Gold - the lowest of any player who started the encounter.

As a result of his showing, Frank desperately needs to drop the youngster from his starting eleven, with the Dane currently having numerous better alternatives already at his disposal.

The decision to leave Tel out of the Champions League squad now appears somewhat respectable, with the player evidently lacking huge confidence after his summer transfer.

It keeps on getting worse for West Ham United this season.

The Hammers kick-started their Premier League campaign with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland last month, and instead of it being an aberration, it was, in fact, a sign of things to come.

The East Londoners have since lost the EFL Cup Second Round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers and three of their four league games.

It's undoubtedly time for Graham Potter to be replaced, and the good news is that West Ham are being linked with a host of candidates, including one manager who could be even better than Tottenham Hotspur's Thomas Frank.

West Ham target a new manager

West Ham have been linked with plenty of potential Potter replacements since the start of the season, with Gary O'Neil being a recent name to pop up.

The former Wolves boss would undoubtedly be an interesting appointment, and one that may help to stabilise things, but it's hardly one that'll get the fans excited.

Likewise, while there is certainly some romanticism surrounding the links to bring Slaven Bilic back to the club, there should be concerns over the fact that he has not managed in the top flight for five years.

Fortunately, there is another manager the Hammers are keen to hire, someone who could be better than Frank.

At least that is according to a recent report from journalist Alan Nixon, who has claimed West Ham are still keen on Nuno Espírito Santo.

In fact, Nixon goes further than that, revealing that the club are now "getting closer" to the former Nottingham Forest boss.

It could be a complicated deal to get over the line, but Nuno would be worth the hassle, especially as he could be an even better manager than Frank.

How Nuno compares to Frank

So the first thing to say is that Frank is clearly a great manager, as he wouldn't have been at Brentford for so long or got the job at Spurs if he wasn't.

However, there are some who argue that Nuno is the superior coach, with talkSPORT's Rory Jennings boldly stating that the former Wolves manager is simply "better than Thomas Frank."

Now, we know that the content creator isn't exactly the bastion of good takes, but when you take a look at the stats and achievements, he may well be right.

For example, the Portuguese manager has now overseen 184 Premier League matches during his time with Wolves, Spurs and Forest.

Of those 184 games, 72 have been wins, 45 have been draws and 67 have been losses, which gives him an average of 1.42 points per game.

During his time in the top flight, the Danish coach has managed 157 games, of which 57 have ended in wins, 39 have been draws, and 61 have been defeats, resulting in a worse points per game average of 1.34.

Moreover, unlike with other managers, this comparison feels quite fair, as both of them brought a team up from the Championship, so it's not like the São Tomé-born tactician has had an easier time of things.

On top of that, while the former Bees boss turned the West Londoners into a mid-table side, Nuno did even better.

During his time with the Old Gold, he took them into Europe, and then, to prove he could do it again, he took the Tricky Trees from relegation candidates to European football within a season and a half.

Ultimately, Frank is a great coach, but from their raw numbers to what we have seen them do with Premier League teams, it looks like Nuno is simply better.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank boasts a wealth of hugely impressive talents in his squad that have seriously impressed under him so far.

The Dane's exceptional start to life in the Spurs dugout has yielded four wins from seven in all competitions so far, including just two defeats, and they were desperately unlucky to lose that UEFA Super Cup final to European champions PSG.

While a draw at underperforming Brighton last time out is hardly cause for major celebration, the Amex has been a very unhappy hunting ground for Spurs in recent years.

Ange Postecoglou's Lilywhites blew a two-goal lead to surrender a 3-2 defeat on the south coast this time last year - losing 4-2 away to them the year prior - and history threatened to repeat itself again when Spurs found themselves 2-0 behind last Saturday.

However, Frank's side displayed real dogged professionalism to claw themselves back to 2-2 — courtesy of goals from Richarlison and reported Spurs transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke (OG) — and had even more chances to score before the final whistle.

Xavi Simons missed a great opportunity to net his first Premier League goal for Tottenham, in what was a promising display of what is to come from the Dutchman, while Lucas Bergvall added to his ever-growing collection of excellent performances.

Spurs' midfield is looking stacked right now, with summer loan signing Joao Palhinha also impressing as he eyes a 2026 permanent move to Tottenham.

Alongside the likes of Bergvall and Palhinha, a special nod has to go to the young Pape Sarr.

Tottenham told "important" Pape Sarr deserves much more credit

Speaking to Tottenham News, ex-Brentford boss Martin Allen has claimed that Sarr has gone unnoticed with his Spurs performances this season, and deserves more credit.

“I like Sarr, he goes under the radar,” Allen said.

“He doesn’t get much credit, but he perhaps might not score as many goals as the manager might like.

“He’s an important cog in that engine to allow all those players up front, who have got real quality, to have someone that can close down, get their foot in, help them with the defence and the attack, and get around the pitch.

“With those types of players, you’ve got to let him get out there and smother the game."

Signed by Fabio Paratici in 2021 for around £15 million, the Senegalese spent the rest of 21/22 back on loan at FC Metz before playing his way into the Spurs senior team.

The 23-year-old was awarded a new long-term contract last year as a result of his showings under Postecoglou, keeping him at the club until 2030, and Sarr has been equally as good since Frank replaced the Australian.

Prior to their draw at Brighton, Sarr was handed the starting nod by Frank in each of Tottenham's first four Premier League games — bagging his first of the campaign in a 3-0 win at West Ham and assisting Brennan Johnson's third against Burnley in a 3-0 opening weekend victory.

According to WhoScored, the ex-Ligue 1 sensation is Tottenham's third-best performer by average match rating per 90 in the top flight, with only Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison sitting above him.

In truth, Sarr's price tag from four years ago is now looking like chump change, and he could be a fixture of Frank's midfield for years to come if he carries on performing when required.

Dominic Solanke has struggled to match the demands placed upon him at Tottenham Hotspur after joining in a big-money transfer back in the summer of 2024.

The Englishman cost a club-record £65m from AFC Bournemouth a little over 12 months ago, but he’s failed to put a regular run together within the first team squad.

He’s made 49 appearances in his two years in North London, only two of which have come in 2025/26, with his outings only totalling a dismal 31 minutes.

Solanke may have netted 16 times across all competitions last campaign, but ultimately, such a record is way below what was expected upon his big-money transfer to join the Lilywhites.

However, the fanbase could have a reason to be excited, with the prospect of the players who Solanke replaced potentially being teed up for a return to the club in the near future.

The latest on Kane’s potential return to Spurs

Club-record goalscorer Harry Kane left Spurs in an £82m deal back in the summer of 2023, joining German giants Bayern Munich in an attempt to win trophies.

It’s safe to say he’s been a success in the Bundesliga, scoring 98 times in his 103 appearances for the club - catapulting Vincent Kompany’s side to the title last season.

However, the 32-year-old could be set for a dream return to his boyhood club in the near future, with the Lilywhites having first priority if he is to move back to the Premier League.

Such news has led to current boss Frank stating that he would welcome the talisman back to North London with open arms - but cast doubt that such a move would happen anytime soon.

Kane is likely to have a release clause worth £56.7m becoming active in the summer of 2026, further generating excitement among the fanbase - understandably so given his tally of 280 goals for the club.

However, regardless of whether he does rejoin the Lilywhites in the near future, the club already have another talent in their ranks who could emulate his success in the capital.

The Spurs star who could be the new Harry Kane

In an attempt to battle for Premier League glory, Spurs have shifted their recruitment focus over the last couple of years, subsequently targeting young talent over recent years.

Lucas Bergvall is just one example of such a talent, joining in a £8.5m deal from Swedish side Djurgarden back in the summer of 2024, subsequently having an immediate impact despite his tender age.

The 19-year-old has since racked up over 50 appearances across all competitions, starring in key moments and arguably being one of Frank’s most important players in the 2025/26 campaign to date.

However, they’ve already got another impressive youngster lined up, with Irish striker Mason Melia set to join the club from St Patrick’s Athletic in the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old has already made a name for himself in his homeland, scoring 12 times and registering three assists in his 30 league outings during this calendar year.

His latest showing against Cork City saw him bag two goals in just 64 minutes, now currently sitting as the division’s second top goalscorer despite his tender age.

Such form has seen him even be included in the Ireland U21 squad over recent times, subsequently scoring twice in as many appearances - already starring against players multiple years above his age group.

Melia himself spoke glowingly about Kane upon his agreement to join the Lilywhites, stating that the Englishman was a player he looks up to in his career.

The teenager, who’s been labelled “relentless” by analyst Ben Mattinson, is currently averaging 0.5 goals or assists per 90 in Ireland, a simply remarkable feat given his teenage years.

His tally of 1.5 shots on target per 90 further demonstrates the clinical edge he possesses when in front of goal, potentially being a key first-team member in North London for many years to come.

It’s unclear upon his transfer in January whether Melia will be a first-team player or originally link up with the academy - but it’s clear he is a talent who does possess huge amounts of potential. As noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he is the "Irish Harry Kane".

If he can make the same impact as Kane in North London, he will certainly go down as one of the best talents in their history - but he could also link up with the Englishman if he returns to join Frank’s side in the near future.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank sent a 'welcome here anytime' message to club legend Harry Kane in a recent press conference, but the England star may not be the only player who could seal a move to N17 in 2026.

Thomas Frank wants Harry Kane to make Tottenham return

News of a £54 million release clause in his Bayern Munich contract, which becomes active next year (BILD), has resulted in plenty of speculation about a potential homecoming for Kane.

The 32-year-old left tears in the eyes of all Lilywhites supporters after his £86 million move to Bavaria in 2023, which brought an end to his near-lifelong Spurs stay off the back of an incredible 280 goals in 435 appearances.

Since departing North London, Kane has led Bayern to a league title and German Super Cup, all whilst finishing both of his full campaigns as the Bundesliga's top goalscorer with 36 goals in 23/24 and 26 in 24/25.

He also rounded off 2024's Champions League as the competition's joint-top scorer with Kylian Mbappé (8), with the prospect of a return to Tottenham being kept alive by Frank.

“I didn’t know there was a clause. He is an unbelievable player who did fantastic for Spurs and is doing fantastic for Bayern. Top player. I think there’s a lot of Tottenham fans, including myself, who would like to see Kane back," Frank said.

“Personally, I don’t think he will do it right now if I’m honest. He’ll probably stay in Bayern and continue performing well. He was top scorer last year, won the championship and he’s doing fantastic now. I don’t know what he’s thinking. Myself, I’m a traveller, I like to travel, I like to explore things as well. He’s been here for many years so why not enjoy the time at Bayern a little bit more?

“But he’s welcome. If he wants to join us, he’s more than welcome!”

Not only does Kane's deal include the release clause, which is active from January (BILD), but The Telegraph also reported in February that ex-chairman Daniel Levy negotiated a 'first option agreement' in potential talks for the 32-year-old.

For the first option to be valid, Bayern would have to agree to the move, as would Kane, but it is something he could seriously consider.

England's all-time best goalscorer had his eyes on Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record for years, and is just 47 strikes away from equalling the Newcastle legend's tally.

We're likely to see more and more reports linking Kane with a senstional move back to N17, with his contract expiring in 2027, but another Bayern player could seal a switch to Tottenham before him.

£135,000-per-week midfielder Joao Palhinha has been a revelation for Spurs since joining on an initial loan deal. However, if the club don't trigger Palhinha's £27 million buy-option, he's due back in Germany once the season ends.

Joao Palhinha wants to seal Tottenham transfer next year

That being said, there appears to be a willingness from all parties to extend his stay indefinitely.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, via GiveMeSport, Palhinha is keen to seal his move to Tottenham in 2026 and was insistent on the buy-option clause to be inserted into any deal.

"I think the Joao Palhinha signing has been excellent for Tottenham," Jacobs began.

"The original agreement had an option to buy, which is set at £27million. That was something that both Tottenham and the player were very keen on factoring in as part of the deal.

"Palhinha, in particular, viewed the loan as being contingent, in many ways, on having that option to buy because he would like to be permanently back in the Premier League.

"If Spurs choose to take up the option, the player will be very happy with that because he dove into the move, wanting that permanence to begin with."

The Portugal international has resurrected his career back in the Premier League after a very difficult debut season at Bayern, with Palhinha winning plenty of admirers through his robust, tough-tackling style which has added serious steel to Frank's midfield.

The 30-year-old's dominant display away to Man City earned a 'wow' from Spurs' manager, and supporters will be hopeful the best is still yet to come.

Daniel Levy made a few high-profile mistakes during his time as Tottenham chairman, but one is now seriously coming back to haunt him.

Daniel Levy leaves behind mixed Tottenham legacy

Levy's resignation after 24 years as head of the Lilywhites boardroom sent shockwaves throughout the world of football.

He was regularly the target of criticism and even protests towards the end of his tenure, following a perceived lack of on-field ambition when compared to Spurs' big-spending Premier League rivals.

Levy oversaw just two major trophy wins — the Carling Cup in 2008 and Europa League this year — but helped to transform Tottenham into a financial powerhouse off the pitch.

The 63-year-old helped to instigate Spurs' transformative move to their brand-new state-of-the-art stadium and training facilities, which have made them one of the highest-potential clubs in Europe for success.

Nearly three weeks ago, the news of his departure is still attracting plenty of debate, following reports that Levy was pushed to resign from Tottenham by the Lewis family and found out just hours before it was made official (The Times).

The chief made some pretty questionable calls as chair, not least the appointments of highly unsuitable managers which turned out to be disasters.

In terms of the transfer market, while there are plenty of success stories, one decision that's now coming back to bite him is the refusal to strike a deal for PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele.

The Frenchman has resurrected his once-faltering career under Luis Enrique at the Parc des Princes, and fresh off the back of a stellar 24/25, he was crowned this year's Ballon d'Or winner on Monday evening.

Dembele's staggering 35 goals and 16 assists in all competitions last season, including an heroic Champions League final display against Inter Milan, gifted PSG a long-awaited treble whilst etching his name into the club's history.

His winner away to Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals also turned out to be crucial, with the £317,000-per-week attacker starring in multiple positions as both a centre-foward and wide player across 24/25.

Tottenham refused chance to sign Ousmane Dembélé in 2022

Looking back to three years ago, it is now very interesting to note that Tottenham were actually offered the chance to sign Dembele

That is according to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold, who reported at the time that it was a 'polite no' to the opportunity of negotiating a deal for this year's European player of the year.

This blunt response to Barcelona's offering of Dembélé is made all the more humbling for Levy, considering how the 28-year-old has set France alight since his move to PSG just one year after Tottenham were approached.

The ex-Barca flop's rise back to the pinnacle of footballing stardom has been a wonder to behold after injuries largely dampened his time at the Camp Nou, with Enrique explaining that Dembele's "impeccable" attitude was perhaps a key factor.

"He is a player full of confidence," Enrique told reporters in February.

"Back when I played PlayStation as a kid, he was the kind of player you'd choose when you needed someone to change the game.

"He was already good last season but in 2025 he is even better. You can see his teammates looking for him and finding him. He has an impeccable attitude."

Now, it is highly unlikely Spurs will get such a chance to sign him again, and it further highlights just how quickly things can change in football.

Tottenham Hotspur face Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight, looking to extend their excellent start to life under new boss Thomas Frank.

The Lilywhites have only tasted defeat once in their first six competitive outings across all competitions, with this evening’s clash against the League One side their first in the League Cup for 2025/26.

Such a game will no doubt allow the Dane to rotate his first team squad and hand valuable minutes to players who have struggled to nail down a regular starting role.

It’s crucial that the manager finds the balance between youngsters and senior first-team options, with Grant McCann’s side already dumping out Championship opposition in Middlesbrough earlier this tournament.

Frank may have to make some bold changes to his side, potentially dropping one player who’s already been in tremendous form during the early stages of the campaign.

Why Richarlison should be dropped against Doncaster

Usual number nine Dominic Solanke has been out injured for the opening stages of the season, resulting in Richarlison being given the nod to lead the line by the new manager.

The Brazilian has failed to impress over recent seasons, but Frank’s arrival has given him a new lease of life, already finding the back of the net on three occasions.

He netted twice on the opening day of the season against Burnley, with the latter of his two strikes being named as the club’s Goal of the Month for August.

The 28-year-old also found the back of the net in Saturday’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, getting the ball rolling after being 2-0 down within the first half an hour.

The former Everton star has featured for 348 league minutes of the league season, potentially being in need of desperate rest to avoid picking up another injury.

It may appear a controversial decision given his recent form in North London, but he may need to be benched to allow one player to make a rare start for the Lilywhites.

The Spurs player who should make his first start tonight

During the off-season, Spurs made numerous impressive additions that have already strengthened the options at Frank’s disposal for his first year at the helm.

Mohammed Kudus was the most expensive one of the summer additions, costing £55m from local rivals West Ham United - already making an immediate impact in North London.

The Ghanaian has already registered four assists for the club, subsequently becoming the first player since James Maddison to register two assists on his debut for the club.

Players such as Xavi Simons and Joao Palhinha have also arrived during the off-season, subsequently cementing their place as regular starters in the first team squad.

However, the same can’t be said about Mathys Tel, after the French striker joined on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.

Such a move generated huge excitement within the fanbase, but he’s yet to make a huge impact under Frank in the first month of his spell in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old has only made a single appearance in the league, only featuring for a total of 98 minutes in England’s top-flight in the 2025/26 campaign to date.

Such a lack of action could be a surprise given his impressive tally of three goals in his 20 appearances for the Lilywhites last season, with tonight the perfect opportunity to hand the Frenchman a rare start.

Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, has still managed to impress despite his limited action, registering an 81% pass accuracy rate and a 50% dribble success rate.

He’s also won 5.5 duels per 90, whilst winning 1.8 fouls per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline - something which Frank will want to utilise against the League One outfit.

Given his exclusion from the Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign, the Carabao Cup could be an excellent chance for Tel to gain valuable first-team minutes.

It’s also a chance for Richarlison to get a needed rest after his number of minutes early on this campaign, potentially giving the Frenchman a chance to stake his claim for a starting role.

Current Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has a huge array of talent currently at his disposal, but there’s no denying he wishes he could rely on striker Harry Kane.

The Englishman featured for the club’s first team over a decade-long spell, subsequently breaking all sorts of long-standing records in the process.

He scored 280 appearances for the Lilywhites, with such a tally making him the highest goalscorer in the history of the club - overtaking the late Jimmy Greaves in the process.

Kane also sits second in the Premier League charts for goals scored, with his tally of 213 only bettered by Alan Shearer - further highlighting his clinical edge in front of goal.

The Englishman would depart in an £82m deal to join Bayern Munich back in the summer of 2023, leaving the iconic number ten shirt vacant for one player to take over in recent years.

James Maddison’s struggles at Tottenham Hotspur

After Kane’s departure that summer, the Spurs hierarchy decided to fork out a fee in the region of £40m for the signature of attacking midfielder James Maddison from Leicester City.

In the two years since making the move to North London, the 28-year-old has registered 16 goals and 19 assists in his 75 appearances for the club - six of which came in their Europa League-winning campaign last year.

However, despite his fairly impressive tallies, his injury record has massively held him back at times, subsequently suffering three injuries before the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

He had already missed 24 games and 146 days' worth of action before Frank’s appointment, but the midfielder now also looks set to miss many more valuable matches after his latest setback.

He suffered an ACL tear in the pre-season clash with Newcastle United, with Maddison now expected to miss the vast majority of the Dane’s first season at the helm.

Such an injury is one of the worst a professional footballer can suffer, with it being unclear what level of performance the midfielder will be at upon his return to senior action.

However, he could be in danger of losing the number ten shirt in the near future, especially if one player can continue his excellent start to the new campaign.

The Spurs star who could steal the #10 from Maddison

Since Frank took the reins during the summer transfer window, he’s led Spurs to an impressive start to 2025/26, with the first-team only losing once across all competitions.

The Lilywhites have also claimed an opening day victory in the Champions League, subsequently making an impressive start to the manager’s tenure in North London.

Part of the success has mainly been down to the impact of the new additions made in the market, with midfielder Joao Palhinha registering the most tackles of any player in the Premier League to date.

However, at the top end of the pitch, Mohammed Kudus has also impressed after his summer move, already registering four assists in the Premier League during his first five encounters.

He joined the Lilywhites in a £55m deal from West Ham United, with such a deal raising eyebrows after his previous stint at one of the club’s London rivals.

His underlying stats are also just as impressive, completing 19 dribbles - at an average of 3.9 per 90 - further highlighting his impact with the ball at his feet.

Other tallies such as 2.3 chances created and 2.4 successful crosses per 90 this campaign, also indicate the domination he’s had over the opposition in the early stages of the year.

Kudus has also demonstrated his versatility, operating in central areas and also off the right-hand side - something which has made him a monster hit with the fanbase.

His early success in North London has already made him a fan favourite, with his tenure under Frank certainly getting off to one of the best possible starts.

Maddison’s injury issues have certainly halted his own progress, something which the Ghanaian will be hoping to avoid after his own impressive performances since his big-money move.

Should he continue in the same vein over the next couple of months, there’s no reason as to why the big-money summer signing can’t take the number ten shirt off the Englishman.

It could prove to be a harsh decision, but it may be one that is in the club’s best interest, with Kudus having all the tools to be the club’s best number ten since Kane’s departure.