Tottenham Hotspur’s season under Thomas Frank has looked impressive on paper, with the Danish manager steering the club through a strong run of form since taking charge last summer.
Yet, beneath the surface of steady progress, a few concerns have started to emerge, particularly regarding one young player’s drop in performance during training.
Frank, who inherited the squad from Ange Postecoglou, has worked hard to build a team with balance and intensity, but as with any new era, there are still gaps to fill and challenges to overcome.
The club’s leadership structure has also seen significant change. Fabio Paratici, who was instrumental in bringing in top talents like Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pedro Porro, has officially returned to the club as part of a new football management setup alongside Johan Lange.
His reappointment had been uncertain following Daniel Levy’s departure, but new CEO Vinai Venkatesham ensured the move was completed. Together, Paratici and Lange will shape Tottenham’s recruitment strategy going forward.
Lange expressed optimism after the announcement, saying that he firmly believes Tottenham are building something special.
His confidence reflects the club’s current vision, backed by a recent £100 million investment from the Lewis family, which strengthens their ambition for success in this new post-Levy chapter.
With the January transfer window approaching, Paratici and Lange have already identified key areas that need reinforcement. Tottenham are reportedly targeting a new centre-back and winger, while also exploring the market for a proven striker.
There have even been talks linking the club with Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović, a player Paratici has admired since his time at Juventus and during his previous role at Spurs.
Meanwhile, some criticism has surfaced regarding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. While the Italian has impressed with his reflexes and composure on the ball, there have been concerns about his command of the penalty area, especially when dealing with crosses.
This weakness was nearly exposed in the recent match against Leeds United when Joe Rodon came close to scoring, although Vicario redeemed himself with a series of vital saves that ultimately kept Spurs in control.
Thomas Frank’s record so far reflects stability and progress.
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 11 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Points | 18 |
| Points per Game | 1.91 |
Despite these positives, there’s an emerging story behind the scenes involving young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Once viewed as one of Spurs’ most promising prospects, Kinsky’s development appears to have slowed since Vicario’s return from injury.
According to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, Kinsky made a strong first impression when he joined from Slavia Prague in January for £12.5 million. During Vicario’s absence, he seized the opportunity to start regularly under Postecoglou, showing composure and agility that impressed the coaching staff.
However, reports suggest that his performances began to decline in training once Vicario returned to full fitness.
Mokbel noted that while Vicario remains Tottenham’s clear first-choice goalkeeper and that a replacement is not on the club’s priority list, the drop-off in Kinsky’s form raised some concerns among the previous coaching staff.
Such dips in motivation are not unusual for young players facing reduced playing time, but it’s something Frank and his team will need to address quickly.
For Kinsky, the situation is a test of character. At just 22 years old, he has time on his side and the raw ability to grow into a top-level goalkeeper.
However, maintaining focus and consistency when not playing regularly is crucial. The excitement of joining a Premier League club and earning early starts would naturally fuel his motivation, but knowing that his position would soon be reclaimed by an established first-choice like Vicario could have affected his confidence.
His move to Tottenham, reportedly finalized after Daniel Levy met with his father, was seen as a big opportunity for the Czech keeper. But now, he faces the challenge of competing with a goalkeeper who continues to deliver match-winning performances.
If Vicario maintains his form, opportunities for Kinsky may remain limited, leaving him with the difficult task of proving his worth through hard work in training.
Tottenham’s progress under Frank has been encouraging, but moments like these reveal the importance of depth and mentality within the squad.
Every player, whether first-choice or backup, must stay ready to contribute. For Kinsky, rediscovering his early energy and hunger could reignite his career trajectory.
And for Frank, managing that balance between competition and confidence within his squad will be key as Tottenham aim to sustain their strong start and push for higher ambitions this season.
