Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is weighing in on the club’s January recruitment plans after a solid start to life at N17.
Tottenham put international break curse behind them after Leeds win
Before their latest victory at Leeds United, thanks largely to a Man of the Match display from in-form summer signing Mohammed Kudus, Spurs had suffered defeat in seven of their last seven matches prior to an international break.
Mohammed Kudus
8.4
Mathys Tel
7.8
Noah Okafor
7.0
Sean Longstaff
7.0
Jayden Bogle
6.8
via WhoScored
A run of two consecutive Premier League draws in the build up to Leeds, not to mention a disappointing share of the spoils away to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, perhaps told a sign that Frank’s side could’ve been on to extend that bizarre record.
However, a gritty, resilient display on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Yorkshire saw Frank’s side come away with all three points, despite Leeds battling to the very bitter end and ferociously knocking on Spurs’ door.
Tottenham not only put that international break voodoo behind them, but they also became the first side to beat Leeds at Elland Road for over a year in the league.
It took a couple of crucial saves from Guglielmo Vicario to thwart Leeds’ attempts to get on the scoresheet for a second time, and Frank can also give a special nod to Mathys Tel, who opened the scoring after being given the starting nod ahead of Richarlison.
Dominic Solanke’s niggling ankle problem, which required minor surgery, means that Richarlison has started up top in almost every game for Spurs so far, but there are doubts that the hot and cold Brazil international can be relied upon.
Spurs are hopeful Solanke could return just after the October international break, but fitness issues have been a real issue for the Englishman since his move from Bournemouth last year.
As such, the Lilywhites are being linked with a new striker, and it is believed that former Brentford star Ivan Toney is on their radar.
Frank worked with Toney during his peak years at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the 29-year-old bagging 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/2023 season.
Since moving to Al-Ahli in 2024, Toney has scored for fun, racking up 30 strikes in 44 appearances over his debut campaign and eight goals from 10 run outs already this season.
Thomas Frank contacts Ivan Toney over joining Tottenham in January
According to a report from Indy News, Spurs could now offer the £426,000-per-week talisman a chance to make a return to his homeland.
Indeed, it is believed that Frank has personally contacted Toney over joining Tottenham on loan in January, with Chelsea named as another suitor as both sides ponder bringing in a new centre-forward mid-season.
It is unclear whether Al-Ahli would sanction a temporary move away for the number nine who’s been their arguable star player since joining, but Frank has previously lavished praise on Toney as a “remarkable” striker, so it is clear why he’d be keen to reunite with him in North London.
“Ivan is amazing in many, many aspects,” Frank said in 2023.
“The way he copes with pressure and distractions is amazing.
“He’s been scoring goals, performing for the team and driving the team. He’s remarkable.
“I can only talk about the Ivan that I see every day around the place, and he’s a fantastic person around the group. He’s got that unique emotional intelligence to be aware of all the players, and every staff member.
“Ivan trains well, and he’s clearly the number two striker in England, that’s proven by his goals and performances.”