Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Burnley in their season opener highlights the team’s revitalization, thanks to the fresh leadership of new head coach Thomas Frank, new captain Cristian Romero, and the summer recruits.
1. Burnley was clearly an inferior opponent for Tottenham, and the team’s strong start under Frank surprised few. The Danish manager has shown he’s committed to building a Tottenham side that may not advance rapidly, but will be solid and stable.
This is a complete contrast to what former boss Ange Postecoglou did. The Australian coach ended a nearly 20-year title drought with a Europa League win, but behind that success was instability in the team’s style. The adventurous yet unbalanced play under Postecoglou sparked concerns over their Premier League position. Finishing 17th last season was disappointing for the club’s management, and even though the European trophy secured a Champions League spot this year, it didn’t quell worries about the future if Postecoglou stayed on.
Another aspect of Postecoglou’s tenure was his failure to build a stable core squad, partly due to a physically taxing style that increased injury risks for key players. In contrast, Frank has introduced a more organized and pragmatic approach. From preseason matches to the Burnley opener, the former Brentford coach has managed his squad smartly and adjusted to each game, rather than being as rigid as Postecoglou. He always has multiple lineup options, even if his current squad isn’t perfect. Conversely, Postecoglou tended to overuse his main players, forcing them to play game after game without a proper rotation plan. This led to fatigue and injuries, affecting Tottenham’s performance in crucial matches.
Under Thomas Frank, Tottenham have exhibited many fresh and positive developments.
2. This season, Tottenham have strengthened their squad in a quieter manner compared to other Premier League giants. Their main focus has been twofold: making last season’s loan deals permanent, such as Kevin Danso from Lens for £21 million and Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich for £30 million, and investing in young prospects like Luka Vuskovic from Hadjuk Split and Kota Takai from Kawasaki. The two most noteworthy signings this summer are Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £60 million and the loan of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich.
Has Tottenham truly wrapped up their summer transfer window? Certainly not, as Frank is still seeking a quality winger to fill the void left by Son Heung Min, who moved to the US. The two most talked-about candidates are Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and Savinho from Man City. Acquiring either would greatly bolster Tottenham’s attacking depth, which is crucial as Frank’s side will compete in various tournaments, including the Champions League.
Tottenham’s squad isn’t exactly thin, but it also lacks the depth needed to easily adapt if key players are injured or suspended. Lessons from the Postecoglou era remind the club of the importance of minimizing the gap between starters and substitutes. Having a high-quality player like Kudus on the right and a revitalized Richarlison at center-forward is a boost for Tottenham. With the addition of a strong left winger, Frank’s attack would be able to compete with other top teams like Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Nevertheless, Tottenham’s smooth start with new manager Frank, the new signings, and newly re-signed captain Romero should be acknowledged.