For Tottenham Hotspur, the restart will be a highly anticipated London derby against West Ham United at the London Stadium, scheduled for a 5:30pm kick-off. Thomas Frank’s side will be eager to build on their promising start to the season, with the chance to make it three wins from their opening four matches under the Dane’s management. The spotlight will undoubtedly fall on Spurs’ marquee summer signings, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani, both of whom could be handed their debuts in the capital clash.
Simons, who arrived in a high-profile deal from Paris Saint-Germain, is currently away on international duty with the Netherlands. The exciting 22-year-old playmaker, alongside fellow Tottenham teammate Micky van de Ven, is preparing for crucial World Cup qualifying fixtures against Poland and Lithuania. Their performances will be closely monitored by Spurs fans eager to see how the young midfielder adapts to life on the international and Premier League stages simultaneously.
Kolo Muani, meanwhile, will not be linking up with his national team during this break, as Didier Deschamps has opted to leave him out of the France squad for their matches against Ukraine and Iceland. While this may come as a disappointment to the striker, it does present an opportunity: extra time at Hotspur Way to acclimatise to his new surroundings, integrate with Frank’s system, and sharpen up ahead of what could be a pivotal debut against the Hammers.
The international break also means a split in Tottenham’s camp. A large portion of Frank’s squad has jetted off around the globe to represent their nations, but several players remain at the club’s Enfield training base — either because of injury or because they were overlooked for call-ups.
Among those staying behind is Radu Drăgușin, who continues his recovery from a long-term ACL injury. The Romanian centre-back, who has yet to feature this season, is edging closer to a return. Frank confirmed prior to last weekend’s defeat against Bournemouth that Drăgușin should rejoin full training within seven to ten days, a timeline that will allow him to build fitness before re-integrating fully into matchday plans.
Another positive development concerns Japanese defender Kota Takai. The 18-year-old summer recruit, who has been nursing a plantar fascia issue in his foot, is now ready to resume training with the group. Though not selected for Japan’s September internationals, his gradual reintegration is a welcome boost for Spurs as Frank looks to expand his defensive options.
In attack, Dominic Solanke is also undergoing an important period of rehabilitation. The striker, signed from Bournemouth in July, has been dealing with an ankle problem that has kept him sidelined. Frank remains optimistic about his return after the break, with reports indicating that Solanke has recently undergone an injection to accelerate his recovery and reduce inflammation.
Destiny Udogie, meanwhile, marked his return to action with a brief cameo from the bench in the Bournemouth game. Not included in Italy’s squad for this international window, the full-back now has valuable time to rebuild sharpness and regain match fitness before domestic duties resume. Other Spurs players absent from their national teams include Antonín Kinský, Brandon Austin, Yves Bissouma, and Dane Scarlett — all of whom will remain at Hotspur Way.
Unfortunately, long-term injury concerns still cast a shadow over the squad. James Maddison faces the daunting reality of missing the bulk of the season after rupturing his ACL in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. Dejan Kulusevski is also sidelined until late 2025 with a knee injury, though the Swede has chosen to join up with his national team regardless. His presence with Sweden’s squad, as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo, is seen as a gesture of leadership and solidarity rather than a playing role.
All in all, while the international break disrupts Tottenham’s rhythm, it also provides Frank and his staff a vital opportunity to work with returning players, accelerate the rehabilitation of key figures, and ensure that the team is primed for the test awaiting them at West Ham. With new signings set to make their mark and several important squad members on the comeback trail, Spurs enter the next phase of the season with optimism — though tempered by the reality of ongoing injury setbacks.
