Tottenham Hotspur

Richarlison has certainly wowed Thomas Frank with his performances against PSG and Burnley this week.

Outstanding in our narrow loss to the Champions League winners in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday evening, Richy went a step further with two outstanding finishes to put us in control of our Premier League opener against the Clarets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY afterwards, Thomas said: “First and foremost his performance today, ‘wow’. His performance on Wednesday, ‘wow’. His work ethic, the way he leads the team, the way he presses, his hold up play, the way he competes is fantastic.

“On top of that, strikers need goals. Two great goals. The first one, the ‘easier’ one, it’s not easy, it’s a great finish. The second one, exceptional. I’ve just been told by my analysis team that it was 17 passes, everyone in the team touched the ball, including Vic and finished with two top actions – Mo Kudus and an unbelievable finish. Maybe this is Goal of the Season already!”

Thomas was also asked about Richy in his post-match press conference, and said: ""Fantastic he is scoring. The first one is definitely easier to score without being easy, but I have a striker that takes those two chances and helps us win the game. He deserves a lot of praise. He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes.

"So, happy on his behalf and again performance department, medical department did a top job to build him. I think a few of you know he was not involved in the first friendly because we had to build him. That will be continuous and something we need to look at throughout the season.

"It is only the second game of the season, there is a long way to go, but very positive with him. Second goal - 17 passes in the team, I have been told every player touched the ball and finished with two top actions. First from Mohammed Kudus and then second an exceptional finish by Richarlison. I’m a little disappointed that so early we have goal of the season, but must be a contender."

Thomas Frank has revealed that an injury kept Yves Bissouma out of our matchday squad for Saturday's win over Burnley.

In his press conference on Friday afternoon, Thomas had confirmed that Yves was set to return to the matchday squad after missing the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

However, when our starting XI and substitutes were announced for the Premier League opener against the Clarets, the midfielder was a notable absence.

Subsequently, in his press conference after the game, Thomas was asked why Yves ended up not being involved in the game.

"Unfortunately, (Yves) got injured in training yesterday," Our Head Coach revealed. "We need to look into how (bad) it is."

Thomas Frank was full of praise for the way the players turned around the disappointment and sheer effort put into our UEFA Super Cup loss against PSG to produce a memorable victory in his first Premier League match against Burnley on Saturday.

Richarlison stole the show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with two wonderful strikes – ably assisted by impressive debutant Mo Kudus – before the just as impressive Pape Matar Sarr sent away Brennan Johnson to complete the 3-0 victory.

It was quite a return to Premier League football in N17 – sun out, fans in full voice – and many boxes ticked for Thomas and his coaching staff, not least being able to switch the squad around and start with two teenagers – Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall – in central midfield.

Thomas on his emotions after the win...

“Relieved, happy. In life and football, you can nothing for granted. We know we’re playing Burnley at home, it’s a ‘must win’ game on paper, but we also know it’s not that easy. It’s football. I’m happy with the win, happy with the clean sheet, happy with the goals. It was a short turn around after a big disappointment (against PSG), and the players were ready. Big credit to the medical and performance department for turning it around at such short notice.”

Thomas on the contribution of the squad, taking into account the effort the players put in against PSG...

“Definitely. I said to Brennan, he had such a good season last season, scored 18 goals across all competitions. I didn’t pick him for the UEFA Super Cup, he didn’t come on, also disappointing, but today he’s ready to start - and Brennan always scores! That’s a fantastic thing, to be ready. Also, the two young midfielders, Lucas and Archie, really pleased with their performance as well. We need the squad. Hopefully we’ll play 60-plus games. That’s the dream. If we do that, we’ll need the squad.”

Thomas on making changes and starting with Lucas and Archie...

“It’s easy to say with a smile when we win. I trust the players. Hopefully I’ll be consistent in that message. That’s my plan, Also, if we’ve lost a game, still I would have done that with the best intentions. I definitely trust them. It’s also to look into the squad. It was a big effort on Wednesday night. Joao Palhinha also had a shorter pre-season, that played into the equation, and both Archie, Lucas and Pape, who I’ve spoke so much about, he’s been exceptional in pre-season, Archie and Lucas have showed promising signs as well.”

Thomas on the reaction of the fans to Mathys Tel...

“I’m so happy with that. I said yesterday that true Spurs fans are behind him, and they showed that today. That was another big moment.”

A double from Richarlison – including a stunning bicycle kick – gave us a dream start to the new Premier League season as Head Coach Thomas Frank opened with a convincing 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilian forward, whose Spurs career has been blighted by injuries, looked fresh and sharp leading the line at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, opening the scoring with a smart finish in the first half before producing a moment of pure magic to make it 2-0 after the break.

Burnley, managed by former Spur Scott Parker and featuring ex-players Kyle Walker and Marcus Edwards, had half-chances at 1-0 but couldn’t make them count and instead, we bossed the second period with our Bilbao hero Brennan Johnson wrapping up the points with our third.

The game saw home debuts for new signings Mohammed Kudus – impressive again from the start – and Joao Palhinha, who came off the bench late on, and continued our fine sequence of results in August – that’s now 14 Premier League matches unbeaten during the month since 2019.

Looking for a fast start against a Burnley side which never conceded more than once in all 46 Championship matches last season, Lucas Bergvall brought a close-range save out of Martin Dubravka just 26 seconds into the game! There was a significant moment in the fourth minute as a new Premier League rule was implemented for the first time in the competition’s history. Dubravka gathered a cross comfortably but then held onto the ball for longer than the permitted eight seconds – the new law introduced this season – and referee Michael Oliver penalised him, awarding a corner to us. Unfortunately it came to nothing but six minutes later we were ahead. Burnley couldn’t clear their lines and Kudus skipped away from Josh Cullen before cutting back a cross which Richarlison met with a crisp half volley into the bottom corner.

The Clarets created a number of half chances as they came back into the contest well. Jaidon Anthony headed over, Oliver Sonne was high and wide with a volley, Josh Laurent hit an effort straight at Guglielmo Vicario and Lyle Foster’s shot on the run was deflected away for a corner by Cristian Romero, after the skipper had given the ball away. From the set-piece, Vicario saved Maxine Esteve’s header.

There were some decent combinations in our build-up play as we got into some good attacking areas, Djed Spence firing over the bar at the end of one of them while, at the other end, Laurent’s effort was pushed over by Vicario and we went in with a narrow advantage at the interval. In similar fashion to the first half, we were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second period, with Micky van de Ven heading a Kudus corner just over the bar. Richarlison then had two efforts blocked, the second a smart save from Dubravka with his legs. Back came Burnley though with two good chances. The first came from a long Walker diagonal out to Anthony who controlled and set up Hannibal but a combination of van de Ven and Pape Matar Sarr kept him out before Vicario saved Anthony’s effort after he worked a yard of space in the box.

But a glorious goal saw us double our lead on the hour mark. Kudus did so well down the right, whipping in another cross and this time Richarlison produced a moment of genius to scissor kick the ball like a rocket into the back of the net. It was one of those goals that had the crowd applauding every replay shown on the big screens!

Six minutes later it was 3-0 after Richarlison held the ball up well on half-way, Sarr took over and threaded a perfect pass for Johnson to run on to and slip the ball beyond Dubravka and in. Moments later, Burnley substitute Lesley Ugochukwu blazed over from the edge of the area when he probably should have done better, while our own sub, Dominic Solanke spun and shot just wide shortly after replacing star of the show Richarlison. A great start to the season!

We can confirm the starting line-ups and substitutes for this afternoon's Premier League opener against Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 3pm UK).

Thomas Frank has made three changes from our UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties on Wednesday night as we embark on a new chapter and league season in our Head Coach's maiden outing in N17.

Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray come into midfield in place of João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur and there's an attacking change as Brennan Johnson starts in a front three with Kevin Danso making way.

After making his full competitive debut in midweek, summer signing Mohammed Kudus makes his home and league debut in Lilywhite as we play in front of our home supporters for the first time in 2025/26.

Starting XI: Vicario, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Romero (c), Kudus, Johnson, Pedro Porro, Spence, Sarr, Van de Ven.

Substitutes: Danso, Palhinha, Tel, Vuskovic, Solanke, Odobert, Bentancur, Kinsky, Davies.

We were made to rue missed chances in the second half as our pre-season opener ended goalless in Seville, but there was a number of positives to take from Martin Ho’s side first pre-season outing in 2025/26.

With temperatures at almost 40 degrees at kick-off, building on an intense week of training in Spain, it was no surprise that both sides gradually grew into the game at Estadio Jesus Navas and, although we threaten on occasions, we were indebted to a superb stop from Lize Kop midway through the first period to keep it level.

Our best opportunities of the contest came five minutes after the restart, Jess Naz denied by Isabel Alvarez Tenorio on the stretch and that was quickly followed by Martha Thomas’ shot on the turn tipped around the post by Esther Sullastres Ayuso. Matilda Vinberg was then denied by the hosts' shot stopper as we were unable to find the breakthrough in a much-improved second-half display.

It was a useful first outing in pre-season as a number of players completed 90 minutes and defender Tōko Koga, who joined last month from Feyenoord, made her first appearance for the Club, giving our new Head Coach plenty to work with in the coming weeks.

Adapting to the warm temperatures in the southern region of Spain, chances were few and far between in the first period, although our number one produced an important stop to her left to deny Cham midway through the half. We registered our first opportunity on 13 minutes when Drew Spence fizzed a low ball across the face of the goal but no one was there to tap home before the experienced midfielder was then on the end of an opening herself minutes later, sending a header just over the bar after latching onto Vinberg’s chipped ball into the box.

Despite our strong start to proceedings, it was the hosts who carved out the best chance of the game as Cham raced behind our backline, one-on-one with Kop, but our shot stopper denied the forward with a great reaction save down to her left. Rose Marquez Baena fired over on the half-volley following a good move from the home side, while Spence drilled low into the keepers’ hands after being teed up by Jess Naz just inside the 18-yard box, as no side could break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes.

We were denied twice by a superb piece of defending and a strong save just five minutes after the restart. Vinberg fed the ball into Drew Spence in the middle, around 25 yards out, she then flicked it on to Jess Naz just inside the box but she was denied by a sliding Isabel Alvarez Tenorio. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Thomas on the penalty as her effort on the turn was tipped around the post by substitute goalkeeper Ayuso.

Seville’s shot stopper was in fine form once again on 69 minutes, tipping over Vinberg’s powerful effort from the left area of the box after Spence played the ball into the forward. Substitute Bethany England's shot found the hands of Ayuso following Spence’s low cross into box and, in stoppage time, Eveliina Summanen directed a free-kick just narrowly wide as we were unable to find the breakthrough late on.

With the 2025/26 season now upon us, we can confirm our list of Premier League squad numbers for the new campaign.

As previously announced, Radu Dragusin has switched to number 3, with new signing Joao Palhinha taking over the number 6 jersey. Fellow summer recruit Mohammed Kudus will wear number 20.

We can now confirm the numbers for two more of our recent arrivals – Luka Vuskovic has been assigned number 16 with Kota Takai taking number 25.

Our full list of squad numbers for 2025/26 can be found below.

Fans are able to personalise their new 2025/26 kits with these names and numbers now in our Spurs Shops and online. As always, please refer to the terms and conditions at point of sale when purchasing any replica shirt personalisation.

All clubs are required to submit their final 25-man squad lists to the Premier League at the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

Watch | Dragusin on squad number change and injury rehab

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit, will once again offer his expert analysis ahead of every game this season - and here we go with our Premier League opener against Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Burnley 24/25 - 46 games, 16 goals conceded

Burnley were the best defensive team in the Championship last season, and their record of conceding 16 goals in 46 games is, frankly, unbelievable. That helped them to 100 points, and they only lost two league games all season. So, huge credit to Scott Parker. Thinking back to the way his Bournemouth team played in 2022/23 and whether they were a little too open - remember, he lost his job pretty soon after a 9-0 defeat against Liverpool - I think he will be even more conservative with Burnley in the Premier League. Interestingly, he trialled five at the back in the last friendly against Lazio - that defensive record last season was built on four at the back.

Trafford central

James Trafford was also a big part of Burnley's incredible defensive record in the Championship. Indeed, the goalkeeper helped them massively over perform in terms of goals conceded. Their XG for goals against was 28, 29 last season - they actually conceded 16, because he was so good. So, he's a loss - he's returned to Manchester City - but they've signed a couple of new goalkeepers, including Martin Dúbravka from Newcastle United.

Familiar faces return

As well as Parker (our former captain who made 63 appearances for us, 2011-13), Burnley have made a number of new signings - including Kyle Walker (227 appearances for us, 2010-17) and our former Academy graduate, Marcus Edwards. Burnley have also signed striker Armando Broja from Chelsea, but they've lost goals as well - Josh Brownhill (end of contract) scored 18 goals from midfield last season. Yes, he was on penalties, but he only scored a handful of those, so he's a big loss in terms of the output in front of goal. Look out for Luca Koleosho, a brilliant, tricky winger.

Thomas Frank's pre-season tactics

In pre-season, Spurs mainly played in a 4-2-3-1 - as one full-back would be encouraged to get high, allowing the winger on that side to tuck in. We saw Destiny Udogie and Mikey Moore do this against Reading. In that instance, the other full-back, Pedro Porro, stayed back with Danso and Romero to form a back three to start attacks - meaning Brennan Johnson on the right could stay tight to the touchline. However, Spurs weren’t wed to this - as sometimes Rodrigo Bentancur would slot in with the two centre-backs to build play.

Sarr man

In this formation, Pape Matar Sarr has perhaps best shone as the number 10. “I think Pape has been amazing,” said Frank after the midfielder’s halfway line effort against Arsenal - his third strike of pre-season.

He started the Europa League final in that position having not only assisted Johnson’s Bilbao goal, but having won the ball high up the pitch to get the attack going. He’s been doing that throughout July and August too and, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski injured, Sarr should be vital.

Different challenges

I think we're all expecting an extremely competitive Burnley team, difficult to break down. As Thomas Frank alluded to in his press conference, it's a very different prospect to what we saw on Wednesday night against PSG in terms of tactics. The challenge for Spurs, especially with players like James Madison and Dejan Kulusevski out injured at the moment - players who may well have occupied that number 10 position - is finding a way through an away a team that will come to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium knowing that a point would be an excellent result on opening weekend.

Martin Ho has named his first starting line-up for tonight’s pre-season opener at Sevilla (7pm UK, live on SPURSPLAY).

Summer signing Tōko Koga, who joined us in July from Feyenoord, starts in defence alongside Molly Bartrip who will captain the team from the start. Lize Kop is in between the sticks, with Charlotte Grant and Amanda Nilden the two full-backs.

In midfield, Eveliina Summanen and Olga Ahtinen is joined by Drew Spence.

Martha Thomas leads the line, with Jess Naz and Matilda Vinberg on the wing.

Academy players Sophie Jackson, Zara Bailey and Jhanaie Pierre are named amongst the substitute for this evening’s clash with the Liga F outfit.

Starting XI: Kop, Grant, Bartrip (c), Koga, Nilden, Summanen, Ahtinen, Spence, Naz, Thomas, Vinberg.

Substitutes: Heeps, Jackson, Hunt, Rybrink, Bailey, Dennis, Csiki, Pierre, England, Gunning-Williams.

Premier League football returns this weekend as we take on Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (3pm). To create a powerful visual effect in the stadium - and to mark Thomas Frank’s first game in charge in N17 - we are encouraging all fans to wear something white for the game, such as your favourite home shirt from down the years.

Supporters’ group, THFC Flags, will be helping to ramp up the atmosphere by flying several large waver flags in the South Stand before the start of the game – so be sure to take your seat in good time for kick-off.

Arriving early?

Fans arriving early will also have the opportunity to enjoy live Spurs anthems from fan favourite James Black, ‘The Voice of Spurs’, at the Shelf Bar in Block 120. He will be performing from 1.30pm pre-match and again after the final whistle.

In addition to new items that will be available on menus around the stadium, fans will also have the chance to take part in a variety of matchday activities and win prizes throughout the day.

Be sure to check our local guide for the best places to eat, drink and explore in the local area before and after the game - and read our travel advice when planning your journey to/from the stadium.

Support THFC Flags

THFC Flags is a fan-led organisation behind many of the fantastic displays we see at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. To learn more about their work and how you can support them, click here...

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