Thomas Frank has offered another straight-to-the-point update on Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski as Tottenham prepare for their final match of 2025, and the message will do little to lift the mood among Spurs supporters.
The reality is that both players remain unavailable, with no clear return date in sight, and Tottenham are set to reach the halfway point of the season without either man making a real impact on the pitch.
For Kulusevski, the absence has been long and frustrating. The Swedish international has not featured since suffering a serious patella injury during the Europa League semi-final last season, back when Ange Postecoglou was still in charge.
Since then, his recovery has been slow and carefully managed, but despite months of rehabilitation, he has yet to return to training in a way that would suggest a competitive comeback is imminent.
His prolonged spell on the sidelines has left a noticeable gap in Tottenham’s attacking structure, particularly in central areas where his creativity and ball-carrying ability are badly missed.
Solanke’s situation has followed a similar pattern, even if the circumstances are slightly different. The striker arrived with expectation and excitement, but his Tottenham career has barely started.
Apart from a few brief substitute appearances earlier in the season, he has not played since August. His recovery has largely taken place away from the spotlight, with the club offering only minimal updates while he continues to work behind the scenes.
As things stand, Solanke remains unavailable, and his absence has limited Tottenham’s options in the final third.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming clash with Crystal Palace, Thomas Frank once again chose honesty over optimism. True to his style, the Spurs manager avoided speculation and refused to offer a timeline that he could later be held to.
When asked whether either player was close to returning, his response was brief and clear. He explained that nothing has changed since his previous comments and that he will only speak positively when they are genuinely ready to be part of the matchday squad. Until then, the situation remains exactly as it is.
That blunt message has become familiar under Frank. Rather than feeding hope or setting expectations, he has consistently made it clear that players will only return when they are fully fit and ready to contribute.
While this approach may frustrate fans desperate for good news, it reflects a cautious mindset shaped by the demands of a long and unforgiving season.
The lack of progress has been underlined further by Kulusevski’s own silence. After Tottenham’s recent league match against Liverpool, the winger declined to comment when approached by reporters, offering no hints about how close he might be to a return. That moment only added to the sense that his comeback is still some distance away.
With just one Premier League fixture left before the end of the year, it now seems almost certain that 2025 will close without either Kulusevski or Solanke enjoying a sustained run of minutes.
That reality places extra pressure on the rest of the squad, particularly in attacking midfield areas where options are already thin.
Those concerns have grown even sharper following the suspension of Xavi Simons, who will miss time after his red card against Liverpool.
His absence further reduces depth in the number ten role, leaving Tottenham short of creativity and forcing Frank to rely heavily on a small group of fit players to carry the attacking load.
As the season reaches a critical point, the continued unavailability of Kulusevski and Solanke highlights how fragile Tottenham’s squad balance currently is.
Frank’s message is clear: there will be no rushed returns and no empty promises. Until both players are fully ready, Spurs must find solutions elsewhere and hope that patience eventually brings the reinforcements they so badly need.
