There is a growing, albeit cautious, sense of optimism building around Tottenham Hotspur this summer, as new head coach Thomas Frank looks to usher the North London club into a fresh chapter ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The Danish tactician, who arrived with a reputation for tactical discipline and maximizing player potential, has already encountered plenty of early hurdles. His brief tenure so far has been shaped by both encouraging flashes of progress and unwelcome setbacks, testing his ability to adapt in a high-pressure environment.

Just this week, Spurs endured a painful lesson on the big stage. Facing Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, Frank’s side established what appeared to be a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into the closing minutes. Yet, in a dramatic collapse, Tottenham let their lead slip and eventually succumbed to defeat. For a coach who prides himself on game management and resilience, the loss served as a reminder of the work still to be done.

Adding to Frank’s challenges, the squad has been struck by a devastating blow off the pitch. James Maddison, a central figure in Spurs’ creative hub, has been ruled out for the majority of the campaign after suffering a serious ACL injury during pre-season against Newcastle United. Losing such a pivotal player has left a glaring void in Tottenham’s attacking midfield — a weakness the manager and club hierarchy must urgently address.

The sting of Maddison’s absence is felt even more sharply given Spurs’ failure to land Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window. That deal’s collapse now lingers as a frustrating “what if,” especially as Frank has openly hinted that recruiting a new playmaker is a pressing priority.

Spurs’ midfield dilemma and possible solutions

To counter this crisis, Tottenham have already splashed significant money in the market. The headline signing so far has been Mohammed Kudus, who arrived from West Ham United for £55 million. The Ghanaian star, primarily deployed on the right wing, showed glimpses of his versatility during his competitive debut against PSG, operating effectively through the middle. His ability to shift into an advanced midfield role could be a short-term solution to Spurs’ current creative shortage, especially given his track record of featuring centrally for the Hammers last season.

Still, Frank and his staff are keeping their options open. One of the names heavily linked is Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old has expressed a desire to join Tottenham, and with a price tag of around £60 million, he represents both a significant investment and a statement signing. Arsenal are also monitoring his situation, but Spurs remain in pole position. Securing Eze, especially after already landing Kudus, would be a major demonstration of ambition from Daniel Levy and the Spurs board, particularly as the club looks to build on their Europa League triumph last season, which ended a 17-year wait for silverware.

Young attackers on the rise

While external targets remain under consideration, Tottenham also have talent within their ranks that could rise to the occasion. Brennan Johnson, signed from Nottingham Forest for £47.5 million in 2023, has already etched his name into Spurs folklore by scoring the decisive goal against Manchester United in a crucial victory. His development continues to inspire confidence, proving the club’s faith in younger signings is beginning to pay off.

Even more exciting for Spurs fans is the emergence of Mathys Tel. Initially joining on loan from Bayern Munich in January, the French forward impressed with his sharp movement and fearless approach, scoring three times across 20 appearances. His impact persuaded Spurs to make the move permanent this summer, with Levy investing £30 million in the 20-year-old and handing him a six-year deal.

Despite missing a penalty in the Super Cup shootout, Tel’s stock has risen sharply. According to CIES Football Observatory, his market value now sits at around €75m (£65m) — more than double the fee Spurs paid just months ago. Remarkably, this valuation surpasses both the price Spurs shelled out for Kudus and the projected cost of signing Eze, underscoring just how highly rated the young forward is across Europe.

A long-term project under Frank

For Frank, these developments are both encouraging and daunting. On the one hand, he has inherited a squad brimming with young, high-ceiling talents like Johnson, Tel, and now Kudus. On the other, injuries and lingering weaknesses — particularly in midfield creativity — remain pressing concerns.

If Tel continues his upward trajectory and Kudus adapts seamlessly to his new surroundings, Spurs could quietly be assembling one of the most dynamic attacking units in the league. Add Eze into the mix, and Tottenham would not only have solved their creative void but also sent a clear message to rivals: they intend to return to the top table of English football.

The road ahead will not be smooth, but the foundation is being laid. Under Frank’s guidance, with the right blend of established quality and emerging talent, Tottenham’s cautious optimism could very well evolve into genuine belief that a new era of success is finally on the horizon.