Tottenham Hotspur have endured a challenging week filled with speculation, frustration, and whispers of unrest behind the scenes.
Following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, questions have been raised about the mood within the squad and the team’s response to recent setbacks.
The loss, coming in a heated London derby, left both players and supporters disappointed, particularly as Tottenham failed to make a real impact in the match.
However, just days later, Thomas Frank’s side produced the perfect response in Europe, delivering a dominant 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League.
The result not only extended Tottenham’s unbeaten run in Europe this season but also helped calm some of the tension that had begun to grow around the club.
Despite that, reports of frustration among certain players continued to surface, prompting Frank to address the situation directly and restore harmony within the camp.
Former Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Tottenham needed to handle any concerns among the players quickly to prevent minor issues from escalating.
According to the report, Frank was proactive in dealing with the situation. The players involved in the disagreement reportedly apologised to him privately the following day, and the manager was swift to move on, insisting that there was no serious rift within the dressing room.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the reporter explained that the situation stemmed mainly from frustration after the Chelsea defeat rather than any lasting discontent.
“It was just a bit of frustration from both players after losing a London derby,” he said. “It was more about the way they lost – they didn’t really lay a glove on Chelsea. Thomas Frank came out quickly to play down any talk of unrest. Both players apologised the next day, and everyone moved on.”
The result against Chelsea was undoubtedly disappointing, but Frank’s swift action appears to have steadied the ship. He remains focused on embedding his philosophy and tactical ideas into the team, recognising that it will take time for everything to click.
It’s still early in his tenure, and while the expectations at Tottenham are high, the progress so far has not been without positives. The team currently sits sixth in the Premier League table and remains unbeaten in the Champions League group stage, a sign that there is still plenty of promise under his leadership.
One of the biggest sources of frustration among fans has been Tottenham’s struggles in front of goal. The lack of a consistent, clinical striker has often left the team short in decisive moments, particularly in close matches like the one against Chelsea.
Richarlison and Mathys Tel have both been rotated as the club’s main striker since Dominic Solanke’s ankle injury sidelined him earlier in the campaign. While both players have shown flashes of ability, neither has been able to consistently deliver the goals needed to maintain a top-four push.
Frank himself is aware that his side needs to be more ruthless in attack. The defeat to Chelsea once again highlighted the team’s lack of a cutting edge, with Tottenham failing to create enough clear chances despite dominating possession.
Supporters have grown concerned that the lack of a reliable goal scorer could hinder the club’s ambitions this season.
Tottenham had previously been linked with several forwards, including Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, and a sensational return for Harry Kane. However, according to Football Insider, the club is unlikely to make a major signing in January.
The cost of bringing in a top striker mid-season is expected to be high, and there are limited options available that fit within Tottenham’s budget and tactical setup.
As a result, Frank may have to continue working with his current forward line until the end of the season, focusing instead on getting the best out of the players he already has.
The hope is that Solanke’s eventual return from injury will bolster their attacking depth and ease the pressure on Richarlison and Tel.
Despite the setbacks, Tottenham’s situation is far from bleak. They remain competitive on multiple fronts and have shown flashes of strong football under Frank’s guidance.
The manager’s emphasis on unity, discipline, and tactical evolution suggests that better performances are ahead. While frustrations are natural during periods of transition, Frank’s calm approach and quick handling of internal issues have helped maintain stability.
For now, the focus will be on consistency—both in results and performances. Tottenham may not yet be firing on all cylinders, but the belief within the squad remains strong.
With key players set to return and Frank’s ideas continuing to take hold, the North London club still has every chance to turn this challenging period into a foundation for future success.
