Thomas Frank needs stability at Tottenham Hotspur. His form has gone up and down in the months since he replaced Ange Postecoglou in the dugout.
Postecoglou won the Europa League last season but was relieved of his duties – some are calling it Daniel Levy’s final act – and a new era began with Frank signing and reshaping Spurs’ structure.
Is there room for one more? The Londoners’ attacking efforts have left something to be desired this season, with much at stake this term and ENIC Group dreaming of signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth during the January transfer window.
Latest information on Spurs’ interest in Semenyo
Bournemouth are said to have rejected an offer from Tottenham to sign Semenyo during the off-season. But the Lilywhites are back on their feet and ready to battle Liverpool and Manchester City for the Ghana winger, whose £65m release clause is due to take effect in January.
It will be difficult to lure the 25-year-old to north London next month. All indications point to Semenyo leaving the Vitality Stadium, but he has a wide range of elite outfits available and will be a frequent signing for Liverpool and City in the transfer window.
However, Tottenham need a talisman-like force on the left side. In the end, Son Heung-min left for Los Angeles after lifting the Europa League trophy, and his presence and influence will be greatly missed.
But patience is often a virtue in football, and while Spurs don’t have all their players on the front line at the moment, Frank is leading a number of players who could become real stars in the future.
And there are players in particular who have improved over the past week. His market value reflects how talented he is.
Spurs star overtakes Semenyo
Tottenham have completed a series of signings this summer, and looking back over that period they may see Xavi Simmons as the player of choice. The 21-year-old Dutch star joined from RB Leipzig for around £51 million in August after being sought after by Chelsea.
Although he has yet to hit the ground running this season, Simmons is starting to get used to his skin and his smooth, combative style of play suggests he could be perfect for the Mauricio Pochettino era.
Yes, Simmons’ natural playmaking qualities made him a perfect fit for this thrilling chapter of the decade. Although his physical deficiencies have been cited during his early season struggles, Simmons has begun to resolve them and settle into life in London.
This is a midfielder to watch, and he boasts something special that sets him apart from his teammates. When Frank uses his creative perspective to get his team to play to his tune, Simmons will be in the midst of success.
He already ranks in the top 8% of positions in the Premier League this season for pass attempts and ball recoveries, and in the top 3% for ball recoveries per 90 (data from FBref).
Ball recoveries are defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.
And he’s starting to show some aptitude on the defensive side of the game, working hard on his recoveries and getting stuck when he has the ball.
Xavi Simmons’ last two games for Spurs | ||
|---|---|---|
match statistics | vs brentford | vs Slavia Prague |
Play time (minutes) | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
the goal | 1 | 1 |
assist | 1 | 0 |
touch | 60 | 70 |
Number of shots (on target) | 4(2) | 3(1) |
exact path | 36/43 (84%) | 35/41 (85%) |
An opportunity has arisen | 1 | 0 |
dribble | 0/0 | 1/4 |
collect | 7 | 2 |
tackle win | 0/1 | 1/2 |
Won a ground duel | 4/7 | 6/16 |
Data via Sofascore | ||
Symonds, hailed by statistician Statman Dave for his ability to create “magic” on the ball, had a difficult start to his Tottenham career but has shown glimpses of elite quality throughout the season and is now scoring twice in as many games, giving the feeling that the Dutchman is finally on the move.
Will we return to the days of Harikon during the reign of Pock? Although Tottenham didn’t win any trophies at the time, the football was excellent and enviable and Simmons looks like he could be the architect of a resurgence of creativity and sharpness in the final third.
He has already proven himself financially and is just starting to gain some recognition, with his value already soaring to £95m since his summer move, according to CIES Football Observatory, surpassing Semenyo’s maximum market value of £67m.
Semenyo would be a great addition and there is no doubt that an attacking signing will be made in 2026, but Tottenham fans must remember that the club have signed one of the most exciting playmakers in the industry and as his market value soars, he is likely to continue to get even better.
Frank’s answer to Declan Rice: Spurs have found a ‘future £100m’ superstar
Tottenham’s long-term vision is one of the most ambitious in all of Europe.
