Tottenham are aware that securing victory against Monaco could prove to be their most crucial result of the season.
Just over two months into the season, it remains difficult to fully assess Tottenham’s progress under Thomas Frank.
Sitting sixth in the Premier League and five points behind leaders Arsenal marks a clear improvement from last season’s domestic struggles, while collecting four points from their opening two Champions League fixtures provides a solid foundation to build upon. Defensively, the team looks more secure, and their effectiveness at set-pieces has been transformed.
Yet, there is an underlying feeling that not everything is clicking as it should. The midfield still lacks the right balance, and apart from Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham’s attacking options have not been as threatening as Frank would like. Underlying statistics paint a concerning picture — Spurs rank in the bottom half for both expected goals and expected points. With a demanding run of fixtures stretching through to Christmas, the true direction of their campaign will soon be revealed.
Frank’s men face Monaco tonight in the Champions League, with the French side unbeaten at home this season and having held Manchester City to a draw earlier in October. Spurs, meanwhile, boast the best away record in the Premier League, but this trip presents a daunting challenge, compounded by a growing injury crisis.
Ten first-team players are unavailable, including long-term absentees James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. The latest setbacks came after the international break, with Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, and Ben Davies all picking up injuries that ruled them out of the Monaco clash. Tottenham now travel with only two fit full-backs and 16-year-old Jun’ai Byfield as their sole back-up centre-half. Another defensive injury could see Archie Gray or Joao Palhinha forced to drop into the back line.
Frank was unable to give a specific recovery timeline for Romero but offered reassurance ahead of the match. “No, I don’t think so. For me it’s an adductor strain. We’ll assess him this week and then we’ll know more,” he said.
Even so, concern among supporters is understandable. Around this stage last season, a similar injury crisis derailed Tottenham’s campaign. Although the club hopes Romero’s absence will be brief, his influence will undoubtedly be missed. Spurs looked disjointed without him in last month’s draw against Bodo/Glimt. While Kevin Danso is a reliable deputy, he lacks Romero’s composure and ability to play incisive passes through the lines — a crucial skill given the current midfield’s cautious nature.
Romero’s leadership and presence have been key to Spurs’ resilience this season. Now wearing the captain’s armband, he is the player his teammates look to in difficult moments, both to rally the group and steady the defence.
Following tonight’s fixture, Tottenham face Everton away on Sunday before travelling to Newcastle for a Carabao Cup tie. They then host Chelsea and Manchester United, with daunting encounters against Arsenal and PSG awaiting after the next international break.
This stretch of games could define Tottenham’s season. If Frank’s men can navigate it successfully, despite their injury troubles, it would serve as firm proof that the team has truly turned a corner. Securing a positive result in Monaco without their captain would be the ideal place to start.
