Three Spurs players set to miss start of pre-season training
Tottenham Hotspur’s preparations for the new campaign will begin without three important young talents as international commitments delay their return to Hotspur Way.
Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, and Wilson Odobert remain engaged in the UEFA Euro U21 Championships in Slovakia, forcing new manager Thomas Frank to start pre-season without members of his projected first-team squad.
The tournament’s scheduling creates an unavoidable clash with Tottenham’s return to training in early July. Even if England and France exit at Wednesday’s semi-final stage, FIFA regulations mandating a three-week minimum break mean the trio won’t reunite with their club teammates until mid-July at the earliest – just days before Spurs depart for their Asia tour featuring high-profile friendlies against Arsenal and Newcastle.
This absence presents both challenges and opportunities for Frank as he begins implementing his philosophy. The Danish coach specifically approved Tel’s permanent signing after last season’s loan spell, signaling his belief in the French forward’s potential.
Gray and Odobert similarly represent significant investments in Tottenham’s future, with their £50 million combined fees reflecting the club’s long-term vision. Missing these developing talents during the critical initial phase of tactical installation tests Frank’s adaptability.
The situation does however create openings for other squad members to make early impressions. Younger academy products and fringe players will receive additional minutes during opening training sessions, while established stars can use the extended runway to cement their roles in Frank’s plans before the international contingent returns.
This dynamic could prove particularly valuable for midfielders and attackers competing for starting spots.
Tottenham’s medical staff face a delicate balancing act managing the returning players’ workloads. The club must respect the mandatory recovery period while ensuring Gray, Tel and Odobert achieve sufficient conditioning before the Asia tour.
Sports scientists will likely design individualized programs to gradually reintegrate the trio, potentially limiting their minutes in early friendlies.
Frank’s handling of this situation will offer early insight into his man-management approach. The former Brentford boss must demonstrate flexibility integrating late-returning players while maintaining squad harmony – a challenge that could foreshadow how he navigates the season’s inevitable international breaks and fixture congestion.
For the absent trio, their extended tournament involvement represents both pride and pressure. Strong performances in Slovakia would boost confidence ahead of club commitments, but the compressed preparation timeline leaves minimal margin for error in proving themselves to the new manager.
Gray especially faces heightened expectations following his breakthrough season and high-profile transfer.
As Tottenham’s main squad begins groundwork for the 2025/26 campaign, this staggered start serves as a reminder of modern football’s competing demands.
The club’s investment in young internationals promises long-term benefits, but requires short-term compromises as Frank’s reign begins with key pieces missing from his preseason puzzle. How quickly the delayed trio can catch up may significantly influence Tottenham’s early-season form.