Premier League 2025-26 Preview No 18: Tottenham Hotspur

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 6th (NB: this is not needfully Ed Aarons’s prediction but nan mean of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 17th

Prospects

The sacking of Ange Postecoglou aft he ended Tottenham’s 17-year hold for a trophy by winning nan Europa League divided sentiment among supporters, though nan assignment of nan knowledgeable Thomas Frank has been mostly received pinch enthusiasm. Not moreover that nighttime successful Bilbao was capable to prevention Postecoglou aft Spurs ended past play 17th – their lowest placing since 1977 – having mislaid 22 games. But Frank, aft cutting his teeth pinch a Brentford squad that consistently punched supra their weight, deserves nan chance to show what he tin do pinch much resources aft nan chair, Daniel Levy, opted for nan Dane complete candidates specified arsenic Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola aliases Fulham’s Marco Silva.

Frank will cognize a bully commencement is imperative if Tottenham are to build connected nan momentum of their Europa League triumph that besides secured Champions League qualification. The departure of nan captain, Son Heung-min, for Los Angeles symbolised nan extremity of an era successful northbound London and location is plentifulness of activity to do to make judge they are equipped to situation connected each fronts. Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and João Palhinha – who should adhd immoderate much-needed wound successful cardinal midfield aft joining connected indebtedness – person bolstered a squad since weakened by nan knee wounded sustained by James Maddison. A move for Morgan Gibbs-White grounded to materialise aft Nottingham Forest dug their heels successful and Spurs person rekindled liking successful Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace, having besides targeted Manchester City’s Savinho.

If Frank tin unafraid much attacking additions he should astatine slightest beryllium capable to make Tottenham contenders for nan apical six again and fulfill Levy’s short-term remit of competing astatine nan highest level successful each competition, not conscionable one.

The manager

Frank has go known arsenic 1 of English football’s astir personable managers successful his 7 years astatine Brentford but don’t fto that fool you into reasoning he doesn’t person a ruthless side. Over a crab starter and sole meunière prepared by Gary Lineker successful January for nan BBC’s Football Focus, Frank admitted he does suffer his temper connected occasions: “When thing is really irritating you, it’s conscionable a burst. Boom.” Tottenham fans will invited different head who provides his teams pinch a clear personality and has an ambition to play attacking shot but who besides recognises nan worth of being reliable to break down.

Off-field picture

It has besides been a summertime of alteration successful nan boardroom astatine Spurs aft nan assignment of Vinai Venkatesham arsenic nan main executive – he held nan aforesaid domiciled astatine their northbound London rivals Arsenal until past summertime – aft nan departure of nan long-serving executive head Donna-Maria Cullen. Levy and Spurs’ owner, Enic, person made nary concealed that they person been connected nan lookout for investors complete nan past fewer years, and location person been talks complete trading lucrative naming authorities to nan stadium, which has hosted NFL, boxing, rugby and Kendrick Lamar among different things this year.

Star signing

Kudus is nan first subordinate to subordinate Spurs from West Ham since Scott Parker successful 2011, erstwhile nan midfielder near a nine that had vanished bottom, and nan forward’s presence has excited supporters contempt his disappointing last run astatine nan London Stadium. The Ghana world showed during his first play aft signing from Ajax successful 2023 that he has nan expertise to thrive successful nan Premier League erstwhile utilised correctly, moreover if location were only glimpses of his talent arsenic West Ham struggled nether Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter. It will beryllium intriguing to spot whether Frank regards Kudus arsenic right-winger aliases has plans to usage him much centrally arsenic good – a position nan 25-year-old has antecedently said he favours.

Mohammed Kudus showed astatine West Ham he has nan expertise to thrive successful nan Premier League erstwhile utilized correctly. Photograph: DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Stepping up

Mikey Moore has joined Rangers and nan 18-year-old Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic looks poised to depart connected indebtedness arsenic good contempt starring successful pre-season. But Frank will beryllium relishing nan chance to activity Archie Gray aft missing retired connected signing nan versatile teen from Leeds past summertime erstwhile successful complaint astatine Brentford. Gray, who made 3 appearances for England’s Under-21s successful nan summertime arsenic they won nan European Championship successful Slovakia, was moreover pressed into emergency work astatine centre-back for Spurs past play during a protect wounded situation but will dream to found himself successful his favoured cardinal midfield position.

A large play for …

There were rumours astatine nan commencement of nan summertime that Cristian Romero mightiness person played his past crippled for Tottenham amid beardown liking from Spain, successful peculiar Atlético Madrid. The 2022 World Cup victor ended up staying and has been chosen arsenic nan skipper aft Son’s departure. Romero struggled pinch injuries past season, making 18 appearances successful nan Premier League, but nan 27-year-old has improved his disciplinary grounds and forms a beardown business astatine nan backmost pinch Micky van de Ven erstwhile some are fit.