Tottenham need to cash in on the £22m flop who has been branded as “one of the worst players at a top-six side.”
Tottenham Hotspur are now adapting to a more pragmatic Thomas Frank style, which has sparked several debates in recent months.
Yes, Spurs have flaws and still need to improve, but they sit fifth in the Premier League after 11 games and have only lost three times so far.
Goals are being scored, though the underlying attacking data shows work is required in chance creation. However, this also comes with the fact that Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison – Spurs’ two best creative sources – have been unavailable since before the campaign started.
Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders (via FBref)
1. Chelsea – 20.4 (3rd)
2. Crystal Palace – 19.4 (2nd)
3. Man City – 19.0 (10th)
4. Arsenal – 18.8 (1st)
5. Man United – 18.2 (7th)
6. Tottenham – 11.0 (5th)
Thomas Frank will use the upcoming break to consider his options across the side, and how he can build on his vision and grow this Tottenham team into something viewed as progressive rather than negative.
Against Manchester United last weekend, Tottenham showed belief and battled back after a poor first half. Richarlison’s late goal was cancelled out by Matthijs de Ligt in stoppage time, but Spurs did not collapse and responded with character.
Frank still has work to do, and one of the biggest issues is the decision to play Djed Spence and Richarlison together down the left. Spurs need pace and directness in wide areas, and that duo does not provide it. When Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert combined, Tottenham suddenly looked more threatening.
There also needs to be a psychological shift. Tottenham have won only three of their last 20 home matches. Better away results and a stronger structure have lifted Spurs up the table, but they still require more confidence, fluency and invention in possession.
The forwards need to produce more, yet the midfielders have also been underwhelming, and Frank now has to consider dropping a midfielder who lacks the subtle qualities to make the system work.
When Tottenham brought in Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus in January 2022, initially on loan and later permanently for just under £22m, Spurs believed they had signed a gifted, versatile midfielder. But he is struggling in Frank’s set-up. Analyst Raj Chohan even labelled him a “candidate for the worst centre-midfielder at a big six club”.
Bentancur recently signed an improved contract worth around £120k per week. But he does not suit playing alongside Joao Palhinha, who has been among Spurs’ top performers since joining on loan from Bayern.
Lucas Bergvall could form a more progressive, balanced pairing with Palhinha, but the youngster is still waiting to establish himself under Frank.
Bentancur’s new deal does not make him untouchable. Atletico Madrid were keen on him in the summer, and his value has now increased. If Tottenham continue to build around Palhinha, moving Bentancur on could be the logical outcome once injured players return.
