Hotspur HQ

After Daniel Levy's departure was confirmed in the wake of the summer transfer window, some supporters, having celebrated the exit of a perceived tyrant, must've veered into a realm of existential doubt.

What now? Who can we blame for our failings? A new scapegoat had to emerge.

A hierarchical reshuffle means little is known about the new higher-ups in N17, and a fresh project should offer Thomas Frank some breathing room from mass scrutiny. However, the Dane came close to turning heads for all the wrong reasons against Chelsea on Saturday.

Spurs have been productive at the start of Frank's reign, but watchability has been an issue. Some of the performances have been particularly drab, as bad as we've seen in years, and the majority decided to place blame upon Frank's selection of Rodrigo Bentancur alongside summer arrival João Palhinha in midfield as the root of all evil.

Together, the pair worked well in the UEFA Super Cup and the impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City. But Frank's persistent usage of the partnership has been deemed emblematic of the manager's caution. Most are happy with Palhinha because of his defensive output, and perhaps it's the shiny new toy syndrome which has seen Bentancur catch most of the flak for Spurs' inability to shift possession from defence to attack.

But the Uruguayan can still play. His performance against Copenhagen proved that.

Rodrigo Bentancur is still good... when he doesn't play with João Palhinha

After Saturday's dire defeat to Chelsea, during which the Blues ruthlessly exposed Spurs' limitations in possession with a Bentancur x Palhinha pivot.

So, Frank opted to change tack on Tuesday night. In came Pape Matar Sarr for Palhinha, and Spurs produced their most fluid and efficient work in possession all season.

The issue isn't Bentancur or Palhinha individually, but the partnership simply doesn't work. Well, it has its place for specialised circumstances, but how can you explain Bentancur's sudden reversion to his 2022/23 Lilywhite apex just three evenings removed from a performance where Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher later accused him of lacking the "courage" to get on the ball?

" I don't think Bentancur has given the ball away once tonight."

TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher

He recorded a season-high 78 touches against Copenhagen, and one of his five ball recoveries led to the opening goal. Overall, Bentancur performed with an assurance that has often eluded him since his injuries. He was confident and assertive, in contrast to Saturday.

We know Bentancur can be a progressive force in the middle of the park. He's technically good enough to be the man who unlocks Xavi Simons ahead of him, but performing alongside Palhinha, who's brilliant at what he does, only seems to inhibit the Uruguayan. Together, they exacerbate each other's flaws, but, as I've alluded to, there will be times when the partnership makes sense.

The Portuguese's arrival on Tuesday offered greater security with a man disadvantage, and Spurs subsequently scored twice. Palhinha completed the rout by rounding off an utterly bizarre counter-attacking sequence that was led by Cristian Romero.

Simons' excellent hour earned him Player of the Match honours, but Bentancur was perhaps more deserving for returning to his elegant best. A new contract means the Uruguayan will be sticking around for a little while longer, and the midfielder proved against Copenhagen that he can thrive in a more dynamic framework.

Despite what social media will lead you to believe, Xavi Simons' start to life at Tottenham Hotspur hasn't been egregiously poor.

Underwhelming, you could say, but to suggest there haven't been flashes from the Dutchman would be a flat out lie. Simons was bright on debut at West Ham, excellent off the bench at Brighton, and good at Elland Road before the October break.

He hasn't been aided by a rather primitive framework that had struggled to platform Spurs' No. 7, and Simons' early issues came to a head in the ugly 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. "Really poor throughout the game," Jamie Carragher said of the Dutchman, while former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara went on a mini tirade bereft of critical thought. It's not even worth quoting him, but O'Hara's opinion was one that, unfortunately, represented a faction of the fanbase.

Thus, Tuesday's Champions League bout with Copenhagen wasn't solely significant for Spurs as a collective, but Simons, the individual. The rigours of the Premier League have so far proven tough to adjust to, but Simons is familiar with the bright lights of Europe's premier club competition. With tame opponents visiting N17, the Dutch playmaker had the chance to subdue those who have already written him off.

Xavi Simons produces best Tottenham performance yet in Copenhagen win

Simons entered Tuesday's bout with just a single goal contribution to his name—an assist for Pape Matar Sarr from a corner on his first Spurs appearance.

Within 20 minutes, the Dutchman doubled his tally when Brennan Johnson latched onto his delicately curled pass in behind before rounding a wild Dominik Kotarski surge and finishing from a tight angle. Unlike in previous outings, when Simons has received superbly on the half-turn but been unsure with the next action, he was decisive and pinpoint here.

His best work arrived in tight spaces, enjoying the connection with compatriots Wilson Odobert and Randal Kolo Muani. The latter was guilty of costing Simons two more assists, but the striker's associative play was key to Spurs' improvement as an attacking unit.

Facing a Copenhagen side that weren't keen on pressing high undoubtedly helped, and we saw plenty of the 3-2-4-1 possession shape that supplied promise against Everton and Newcastle. Simons was often stationed in the right half-space behind Copenhagen's midfield line, and a distinct mentality shift (as well as Cristian Romero's return) meant Spurs appeared more willing to pick out their chief creator.

As a result, Simons notched 49 touches in 61 minutes of action. At that rate, he would've recorded 72.2 if he completed 90 minutes, which is just shy of 14 more than his season average (per 90)—one which was elevated by Tuesday night's display. Touches matter for rhythm, but the zones where those touches take place are more significant.

With Simons enjoying the company of those in close proximity and having the freedom to receive on the half-turn, he created what Squawka define as three 'big' first-half chances, which is the most recorded by a Tottenham player in this competition since 2016/17.

Brennan Johnson's red card brought Simons' fun to an end, but the party in N17 only continued. Still, the Dutch international was named UEFA's Player of the Match for his hour of craft, and his post-match interview with TNT Sports depicted a player who's perhaps been taken aback by the scale of the acclimatisation, but carries an underlying assurance that he will come good.

"I know what I can bring to the team, the things will come 100%," he said. Tuesday night, as Thomas Frank commented, was a "step forward" for Simons.

Tottenham Hotspur seemed to be coming into Tuesday night's Champions League tilt against underdog side Copenhagen in huge trouble, as Mohammed Kudus was, despite some optimism from manager Thomas Frank, unable to play on the right wing due to a knock he picked up in the tragically humiliating 1-0 London derby loss to Chelsea at the weekend.

Normally, Tottenham look absolutely hopeless without Kudus, who has been the lone saving grace of Frank's ailing attack this season. Kudus is the one taking guys on, making defenders miss, progressing the ball, and creating the brunt of the chances, especially out wide with no other standout options on the wings.

Well, in their own ways, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson stepped up on the flanks in a 4-0, statement-making Champions League win over Copenhagen with Kudus out, while fellow new signing Xavi Simons finally showed his superstar quality with three big chances created.

But Tottenham's win without Kudus was a reminder that for as impressive as the Ghanaian forward has been as a new signing and for as important as he is to the team's overall attack, there is no singular more impactful player to Tottenham right now than captain Cristian Romero.

A world-class player for Tottenham

It's no surprise, honestly, that Spurs were so putrid over the last few games, as Romero was out during that timespan with an injury he suffered a couple of weeks ago during the warm ups just before the loss to Aston Villa.

Romero was back on the pitch and in fine form against Copenhagen - and not just defensively. Everyone knows Romero is a world-class center back for his crunching tackles and defenisve quality, but he's also one of the elite ball-playing defenders in world football, which ends up being so incredibly vital to Spurs as a whole.

The Argentinian World Cup winner was first on Tottenham in both pass attempts and pass completion percentage against Copenhagen, standing out above his peers as a focal point in the build up phase. Tottenham were so dominant on the ball and so much more effective in getting forward with Romero on the pitch, as he does Rodrigo Bentancur's job much better than the midfielder can.

Romero's impact on Tottenham cannot go underrated, and if it is neglected, then it is only because he is taken for granted. His absence ended up costing Spurs dearly, and the difference between Tottenham both offensively and defensively with Romero and without Romero in the lineup should seal his status as Spurs most important player.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters were begging for an immediate turnaround, and on a Champions League night against one of the smallest teams in the competition in Copenhagen, Spurs were ripe for a bounce-back performance.

And that's exactly what transpired on Tuesday night. With the embarrassing 1-0 loss to Chelsea fresh in everybody's minds, Tottenham went out there and played their hearts out for Thomas Frank, with the former Brentford manager finally playing the sort of free-flowing, attacking-minded football that Spurs fans thought they were getting when Daniel Levy hired the Danish coach for the job.

Yes, it was against Copenhagen, but given Spurs looked awful offensively against teams like Wolves and Bodo Glimt this season, a 4-0 drubbing against any opponent is impressive, especially when Spurs ended up playing about half the match with a man down.

No single player stepped up to the plate more than Xavi Simons. The Dutch attacking midfielder had a slow start to the 2025/26 season after being the club's record transfer this summer, and things reached a breaking point with his totally lethargic, borderline useless, display against Chelsea at the weekend, and Spurs fans could no longer accept his complete lack of involvement in matches.

Pulled the strings for Tottenham

While Simons still has to prove his meddle in the tougher Premier League fixtures, this performance against Copenhagen was a major step in the right direction and the return to brilliance from a player who used to stand out regularly in European competition for both PSV and RB Leipzig.

The young No. 10 pulled the strings in the Tottenham attack, like he should be doing in every game. Simons was far more confident and assured with his passing, creating a whopping four chances in total, including setting a decade record for most big chances created in the first half with three.

Tottenham really could have won this game by more if they capitalized on all the chances Simons was creating, as he was crafting beautiful opportunities for the likes of Richarlison. So while the attacking performance from Spurs was far from flawless, it was a major step in the right direction, and the rebound display from Simons as an individual was a huge catalyst in that regard.

GK Guglielmo Vicario

Another game where Vicario was not called upon often. There was not much for him to get involved with, and that’s the way we want games to go. Even on a quiet night like this, though, it does seem like he is more confident in commanding his area this season. This is true on corners, too, which were an issue last season. Thomas Frank likely takes a lot of credit for that, but it is good to see Vicario’s form improve as well. Bigger tests to come with this in the upcoming games.  Rating: 8

RB Pedro Porro

Not really tested defensively and looked to enjoy the opportunity to get forward as much as possible. Porro is at his best when he is roaming like this and getting in crosses. Was linking up well with Brennan Johnson before the red card. Johnson needs this support to get him involved in games far more than he has been. Â Rating: 8

LB Destiny Udogie

Great to see Udogie available to start and he, like the rest of the side, looked very much in control. Playing 73 minutes, as he returns from injury, Udogie was able to show what he brings going forward on the left. Like Porro on the other side, he linked up well with the winger in front of him, Odobert in this case. This was especially true in the first half with a few curling passes around the opposition to set Odobert away. When all are fit, it’s a difficult, but nice, decision for Thomas Frank as to who plays at full-back with Djed Spence available, too. Rating: 8

CB Christian Romero

I was a little surprised that Romero started today, thinking he might be rested with the next game in mind. He played most of the game though and was fully involved and dominant at the back. Romero does tend to get forward at certain times in games and is fairly dangerous when he does so. Seemed desperate to get in on the attacking action and looked like he might score himself, instead setting up João Palhinha’s goal to make it 4-0.  Rating: 9

CB Micky van de Ven

Micky defended with ease all game, but it’s his goal that will rightly be talked about. Whenever playing football in the park, the phrase “on your own” usually means everyone else is too tired to help you out and so their tactical advice is “do it all yourself”. Can’t imagine “on your own” is something pro players shout, but if so, Micky’s goal was the perfect time. Not necessarily due to tiredness but simply due to pace, no one was able to keep up with him (teammates or opponents). Running through player after player from the edge of his own area and then a confident finish was amazing to see. 6 goals for the season so far, this the best of the lot. Rating: 10

CM Rodrigo Bentancur

Very calm day for Bentancur. Kept things ticking over in midfield and was given time to do so. After getting pressed off the ball against Chelsea in the last game, Bentancur was able to thrive with the space he was given. He reads the game well and any time opposition attacks did threaten, he was able to intercept or win the ball back. Sat deep with Pape Matar Sarr at times, played a possession game, and controlled the midfield. Rating: 8

CM Pape Matar Sarr

Sarr always bring energy and tireless running, which, along with Bentancur’s play, was too much for our opposition. Particularly when down to 10 men, Sarr’s role was critical, ensuring we kept possession, and him sitting deeper was a main reason we were able to launch so many attacks after Johnson’s red card. Rating: 7

RW Brennan Johnson

Was far more involved in the game than in previous weeks. Miskicked to waste a good chance to set up an easy finish early in the first half, but better to see him at least be in the position to do so. Johnson has too often not been in games at all recently, so getting into these positions is an improvement, even if execution is off. Was then heavily involved as two of the more dramatic incidents in the game revolved around him for different reasons. Scored the opening goal, which was not an easy finish from the angle, then was sent off for a late challenge. I think those red cards are harsh, but he was a long way from the ball and studs raised, so he can’t have too many complaints. Will be suspended for our next Champions League game, but the goal should help his confidence.   Rating: 6

AM Xavi Simons

Simons showed his best moments for us since he signed. There are two footnotes of course that he was substituted early for tactical reasons after the red card, and the opposition made it easier for him. However, that shouldn’t discount that we saw good things from Xavi here. A range of passing, as shown by an excellent ball for Johnson’s opening goal, and dribbling ability to attack directly. Set up a great chance for Randal Kolo Muani that should have ended up in the net. Looked frustrated to come off, though given how we played afterwards it should be said that Frank got that tactically correct. A player who I hope starts vs. Man United. Rating: 9

LW Wilson Odobert

Got on the scoresheet and looked to attack all evening. Tried several runs, some of which didn’t come off but kept going. Worked well with Udogie, providing an outlet for attacks and supporting him defensively. Still feels like a player where we will see more from as he develops, but a good performance today.  Rating: 7

CF Randal Kolo Muani

Like Simons, this was Muani’s best game for us. Had two great chances in the first half, both of which should have been goals. Was a threat in the second half, too, where he could have scored a couple of times. Showed good composure and touch to bring the ball down and set up Odobert for the second goal. Our best option as striker for the moment, at least until Solanke returns. Rating: 8

Substitutes: Kevin Danso, João Palhinha, Richarlison, Djed Spence, Dane Scarlett

Thomas Frank has insisted that all is well in the Tottenham camp, despite the antics of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence immediately after Saturday's defeat to Chelsea.

Spurs, having exited the Carabao Cup days prior, were nothing short of dire against the Blues, as their wretched run in the fixture perpetuated. Chelsea have now won five on the bounce head-to-head, and none came easier than their most recent success.

It had the makings of a special north London night, but the fantasy of a statement win was usurped by a glum reality. A Lilywhite team bereft of courage and intent barely laid a glove on one of their most bitter rivals, and the nature of their performance doubtless left factions of the fanbase in a state of consternation.

Many accepted Frank as the ideal successor to Ange Postecoglou, but some are starting to feel that they're yet to receive what was advertised from the Dane. Spurs have been a tough watch for much of the Frank era so far, and it felt like a nadir was reached in Saturday's defeat.

Thus, player frustrations would've been understandable, but seeing Van de Ven and Spence defy the manager's instructions in the aftermath was a worrying look.

Frank confirms Van de Ven and Spence apologies for post-Chelsea antics

Frank sauntered onto the field after shaking hands with Enzo Maresca, prepared to embark on his usual routine. Vehement boos rang out inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they did at the half-time interval, with supporters manifesting their discontent at what they'd just been subjected to.

The first two players he encountered, Van de Ven and Spence, as I'm sure you've all seen, walked straight past their manager and down the tunnel. Frank encouraged the pair to applaud the home faithful, but neither obliged.

The previous Sunday, Frank and Van de Ven were full of glee in tandem as they walked over to the travelling supporters at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium off the back of the Dutchman's match-winning brace. So much can change in such a short time at this football club.

Suddenly, the mood in N17 is bleak again, with the post-match sequence on Saturday sparking murmurs of potential dressing room discontent.

However, Frank hasn't allowed the situation to intensify, immediately describing it as a "small thing". Ahead of Tuesday's more important than it felt a week ago clash with Copenhagen, the manager confirmed that the two shunners apologised to him: "Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday [Sunday] unprompted to say sorry. They were just frustrated."

Hopefully, that is the end of that. The horror performance Frank's side produced on a significant occasion meant emotions were sky-high in the aftermath, and the incident perhaps felt more seismic at the time. All is well in the Lilywhite camp, but boy, do they need to offer supporters something on Tuesday night.

Everyone knows that Son Heung-min had more goal contributions in the Premier League than any other Tottenham Hotspur player last season. And yet knowing full well that Son was going to leave the club on a high note as a Europa League champion and ride off into the sunset to Los Angeles in MLS, Spurs still never adequately replaced him or even signed anyone on that left wing.

Son's overall quality, goals, and, yes, assists have been sorely missed by Tottenham. There is no pretending that Spurs were ever going to replace a legend that quickly, but the void left by Son has been so profound and immediate that it is just as gaping as the one yet to be filled by the departure of Harry Kane the year before to Bayern Munich.

Because it's not just the goals that Spurs are missing with Son's departure to LAFC. Tottenham are also missing his overall style of play, explosiveness, and willingness and intelligence as a runner to stretch the entire defense, changing the entire tactical board and the complexion of the game.

Tottenham can't get forward

Tottenham have played a staggering four through balls in the Premier League this season. Four. That statistic may not jump out to everyone as being as abhorrent as it truly is, so it requires a bit of context. The other top clubs in the Premier League have nearly 10 times that number. Comparable clubs like rivals Arsenal and familiar foes Manchester United and Aston Villa are at 38, 31, and 28 through balls played this season.

So Spurs aren't just trailing the biggest clubs in the Premier League, but they are also trailing clubs they should be comfortably beating in the table in terms of playing through balls. That's a sign that Tottenham are, as everyone can clearly see on the pitch, struggling to stretch the field and get any real forward play going in their attack.

Not having a field stretcher with the speed to burn, the willingness to run forward, and the smarts to beat the line at the right time is a huge, huge loss. And the fact that nobody has filled in to step the void is both embarrassing and entirely predictable when looking at the personnel Tottenham have now rather unwisely assembled to fill out what is a quite obviously underwhelming and cumbersome attack. Four through passes in 10 games is beyond abysmal, especially when the league average of 18.5 is nearly five times what Spurs have.

Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur were used to having half their squad injured with his demanding style that involved running players into the ground, and while you could say that all that running has caught up to the players and bled into the 2025/26 season, it also simply looks like Spurs are just plain unlucky on the injury front.

James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, and Dejan Kulusevski are the three major players with significant injuries that have been reaggravated or were already existing in the 2024/25 under Big Ange, and so many more players have been added to the injured list in the last several weeks so far in the 2025/26 campaign.

And now Tottenham have yet another key player to add to their injured list as they stare down another gauntlet of games, having just come off a horrid 1-0 loss to rivals Chelsea in a match that could have easily been an even bigger blowout.

According to Spurs manager Thomas Frank, via The Spurs Express, young star center midfielder Lucas Bergvall did indeed suffer a concussion against Chelsea. The consequence of that brain injury is that Bergvall will now have to miss the subsequent two games for Tottenham, which will include Tuesday night's Champions League encounter with Copenhagen and then this weekend's Premier League battle with their former Europa League Final opponents Manchester United.

Tottenham have huge problems in midfield

Although Bergvall hasn't been a regular starter under Frank, only a fool would deny the Swedish international's importance to Spurs. They may not have won that aforementioned Europa League title without the teenage sensation, as Bergvall is one of the best young midfielders on this planet and honestly should be playing a lot more than he is this season.

Hopefully, Bergvall can be back for Spurs in time for the even bigger upcoming games against North London rivals Arsenal and old UEFA Super Cup foes - and reigning Champions League winners - PSG in their toughest Champions League matchup to date.

Time and time again, the Tottenham Hotspur attack has tamely offered nothing and been shut out completely from games. So while Saturday's horrible 1-0 loss to rivals Chelsea was certainly not the first such occurrence of the season, it was perhaps the last straw for many fans: an international showcase of incompetence to the masses that was merely the feather in the fecally-stained cap of this denture-less attack.

Spurs don't have a legitimate striker, their left wingers are far too raw to be ready to start for a Champions League club, and hyped up attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has fallen so far below expectations that he is legitimately one of the team's worst performers in the 2025/26 campaign.

Tottenham came into the season with an attack so bad that they were 17th in the Premier League, and Thomas Frank is rapidly realizing how low the quality standard is at Spurs. He surely misses Bryan Mbeumo, Mikel Damsgaard, Yoane Wissa, and the rest of his crew from Brentford, because they were light years better than the incompetent group (sans Mohammed Kudus) he has before him at Tottenham.

Tottenham were historically poor

On Saturday, Spurs put up a historically bad 0.05 xG against Chelsea, meaning their attack was so useless they may as well have played with only defenders and would have fared better as a team. Frank addressed this without mincing words at the post-game press conference, absolutely slamming his attacking players in the process: "I would say [Tottenham's lack of attacking threat and xG] hurt massively. I've never been in charge of a team that created that little in one game. That, of course, I will look into what we can do to make it better."

Now that is a heck of a statement from Frank, and it's one that Tottenham fans won't take lightly. That's because it is an admission of what Spurs supporters have been clamoring about for months, back when they were begging the club to sign an actual superstar player in the summer transfer window or provide them with a star on the left wing to replace Son Heung-min.

Tottenham Hotspur have put themselves at a crisis point after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Chelsea. Though the margin of the defeat doesn't look too bad on paper, any Spurs supporter who witnessed the carnage before them against one of their greatest rivals had to come away highly concerned with the performance from Thomas Frank's men.

Now heading into the toughest part of their schedule, Tottenham are about to show their fans what they are made of, and, so far, it doesn't look good for Spurs. The team is overly reliant on a few players, and you almost shudder to think what Spurs would look like this season without the signing of Mohammed Kudus, who has been the clear standout of a woeful attack that looks exactly like the attack of a team that finished in the table last season.

On Tuesday night, Tottenham will be back at it again with a Champions League date against one of the competition's easiest opponents in Copenhagen, and nothing less than a professional display will be expected, especially from this sagging attack.

And now, there will be no excuses for this unit. Thomas Frank confirmed to reporters ahead of the Champions League tilt, via The Spurs Express, that the injury concerns regarding star winger Mohammed Kudus can be put to the side. Kudus is merely suffering from a knock and could be able to play against Copenhagen.

Mohammed Kudus is all Tottenham have

With Dejan Kulusevski still injured for at least several more weeks after a knee injury to close the 2024/25 campaign, Kudus is all Tottenham have at the right wing position. And they don't really have much on the left wing.

Well, technically, Tottenham do have another option on the right wing in Brennan Johnson, but time and time again, the Welshman has shown that he isn't a valid option on the wing, beyond a timely poached goal that falsely inflates his reputation for a few weeks before the amnesiacs in the Tottenham fanbase snap out of their slumber and remember that he painfully stinks on that right flank.

Tottenham having Kudus on the pitch against Copenhagen will be a huge relief, but it also means that the rest of his teammates have to step up. They know Kudus will put in the work and create chances, but someone in the attacking midfield needs to help him and absolutely someone at striker needs to finally step up and score them.