A new Premier League season is on the horizon, and with it comes a fresh chapter in the story of Tottenham Hotspur. After lifting the Europa League trophy in May, Spurs have decided to part ways with Ange Postecoglou—ushering in what could be a bold new era under Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
Frank is widely admired for his tactical flexibility, man-management, and steady rise with Brentford since their Premier League promotion in 2021. Now, he seems set to bring that same savvy to North London.
But with a new manager comes a new system—and that raises some serious questions. Notably: Where do Son Heung-min and James Maddison fit into Frank’s plans?
Let’s take a look at what a Thomas Frank-style 4-2-3-1 lineup could look like at Spurs.
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🧤 Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham’s No.1 is expected to retain his spot. The Italian impressed last season and provides a solid base for Frank to build from.
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🛡️ Defenders
Right-back – Pedro Porro: While Djed Spence may pose a challenge, Porro holds the position for now.
Centre-backs – Cristian Romero & Micky van de Ven: Romero remains a key figure—perhaps even captain material if Son departs. Van de Ven is undroppable when fit.
Left-back – Destiny Udogie: With Spence capable of playing on either flank, Udogie will need to stay sharp, but he’s still the preferred choice.
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⚙️ Midfield Pivot
Rodrigo Bentancur: Back to his best and well-liked by Frank—an automatic starter.
Lucas Bergvall: The breakout star of last season. With Frank’s nurturing, the young Swede could become a midfield dynamo in 2025/26.
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🎯 Attacking Trio
Right-wing – Brennan Johnson: A long-time Frank target at Brentford, Johnson now becomes a key weapon at Tottenham.
Attacking Midfield – Dejan Kulusevski or James Maddison: Here’s the big dilemma. Both are talented, but who gets the nod? Frank may rotate or push Kulu wide to accommodate Maddison at No.10.
Left-wing – Son Heung-min: For now, Son keeps his spot. But with whispers of a potential summer exit, his future is far from certain. If he leaves, options like Richarlison, Kulusevski, or a new signing like Mathys Tel could step in.
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🎯 Striker – Dominic Solanke
Frank reportedly wants to bring Solanke in as his central striker. If he adapts quickly, he could thrive in a system tailored to his strengths.
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⚡ The Big Picture:
Thomas Frank’s potential arrival signals more than just a new manager—it’s a tactical and cultural reset. His Brentford DNA combined with Tottenham’s talent could spark something special.
But the biggest questions remain: Can Maddison and Son co-exist in this system? And what happens if Son leaves?
One thing’s for sure—Tottenham fans are in for an intriguing ride.
