Tottenham Hotspur is entering a new era. Ange Postecoglou led the north Londoners to UEFA Europa League victory over Manchester United, breaking their 17-year trophy drought.
Despite becoming the club’s first silverware winner since Juande Ramos in 2008, the Australian manager was fired by Daniel Levy after a week of deliberation following the European championship. While last season’s terrible Premier League form lingers in the thoughts of all Spurs fans, there is every reason to be optimistic about the future.
Thomas Frank has been chosen to lead the club into a new – and hopefully successful – age after impressing during his seven-year time at Brentford. The 51-year-old tactician faces a challenging assignment, with improved league performance critical in the future, but he also has the thrilling prospect of Champions League action to look forward to.
But how will he lineup for the 2025-26 season? A 4-3-3 system has become the standard at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent years, and the club’s current players are well-suited to it. Frank’s tactical flexibility at Brentford demonstrates his ability to shake things up. The most essential thing, however, is to bring in the proper players to help Spurs close the gap with the other top English sides.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Marc Guehi, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie
A relatively unchanged back five from the one that conceded 65 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League season would immediately raise red flags for fans. Especially when the man removed from the defensive line is a World Cup winner like Cristian Romero.
Spurs, on the other hand, may profit from adding someone like Marc Guehi to their roster. The Crystal Palace player has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent years, and Tottenham are thought to be confident of signing the Englishman now that Champions League status is confirmed.
It would be a departure from Romero’s aggressive and sometimes unpredictable approach, but Guehi’s ball control might help Frank build a style of play that involves playing out of the back. Along with the electrifying Micky van de Ven, the England international would be a wise choice.
When in peak form, Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are one of the strongest full-back combinations in the division. Both men have been handicapped by injuries over the last year, but Frank will appreciate the freedom to invert or go outside.
Midfield
Morten Hjulmand, Lucas Bergvall and Eberechi Eze
The middle of the pitch appears to be the region that Spurs need to improve the most. Of all the center midfielders who appeared last season, Lucas Bergvall was by far the most convincing. The Swedish teenager deserves to remain in the XI.
In other news, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur have also struggled with uneven runs and fitness issues. Frank might perhaps leverage his Danish connections to recruit Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand. Spurs have reportedly been tracking Hjulmand since Euro 2024, and his £67 million release clause might be activated this summer.
With the two deeper-lying players in the midfield three settled, there are serious questions about where the innovation comes from. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are the two current Spurs players best suited to fill this role, but acquiring Eberechi Eze might elevate the squad to new heights.
After impressing everyone since Oliver Glasner arrived at Palace and playing a key role in the Eagles’ FA Cup victory last season, the England international appears to be ready to take the next step. Tottenham are supposed to be in the running, with Frank apparently giving the deal the green light.
Attack
Bryan Mbeumo, Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min
Only six teams scored more Premier League goals last season than Tottenham, with 64. This is because the team has several extremely talented forwards on its roster. Dominic Solanke took his time getting going in front of goal, but the former Bournemouth striker is almost certain to keep his place as first-choice next season.
Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s first captain to hoist a trophy since 2008, faces an uncertain few months before the new season begins. The South Korean is unquestionably a club legend, but his recent decline in performance standards has raised concerns, and Saudi Pro League opponents are thought to be keeping a watch on him.
If he stays in north London, the skipper will likely start on the left wing. Again, Kulusevski has a solid argument for being the right winger, but Frank might possibly go with a player he knows well.
Bryan Mbeumo was only outscored by Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland during the 2024-25 season. That’s elite company to keep, and early indications suggest Frank would like to bring the 25-year-old with him. His arrival would undoubtedly bring a new dimension to the front line.
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