Tottenham Hotspur still haven’t made headway in the summer transfer market, but Thomas Frank is at least in place as the new manager, and a forward plan is being put into place.
Of course, there’s no need for concern. Miles of transfer market activity still stretch in front of the Lilywhites, who are in a fantastic position after ending 17 years of searching for silverware with victory over Manchester United in the Europa League, thus securing a seat at the Champions League table.
How does Frank propel this Spurs side forward? Will the Danish tactician take the seeds from Ange Postecoglou’s chaotic, up-and-down tenure and plant them in fertile soil?
The Londoners have a lot to work out, but Frank’s track record denotes his potential at the Tottenham helm. His adaptable and dynamic coaching style will be expected to breed greater consistency than we’ve seen in recent years. To achieve this, his approach must see a big upswing in defensive security.
Why Frank needs to fix Spurs' defence
Last season, Tottenham’s woes were shaped by the defensive calamities which plagued Postecoglou’s system, preventing it from ever reaching its full capacity. That and an overload of injury problems, that is.
16.
Tottenham
17th
65
17.
Wolves
16th
69
18.
Leicester
18th
80
19.
Ipswich
19th
82
20.
Southampton
20th
86
While the loan signing of versatile defender Kevin Danso has been made permanent (along with forward Mathys Tel), Tottenham need to enforce a sharp turnaround in defensive stability and mentality.
Losing Cristian Romero will hamper that. The Argentina international is on Atletico Madrid’s radar and may leave the English capital this month, with Spanish outlet AS revealing the La Liga side are prepared to table a £61m offer.
What happens there is uncertain at this stage, but we do know Frank will have a contingency plan if he does lose his combative centre-half. Interest has been shown in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi through 2025.
However, it’s not just central defenders needed to create a squad capable of competing across multiple fronts. Indeed, Daniel Levy and co are looking toward the flanks.
Spurs lining up new full-back
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have been in contact with Sunderland for Dennis Cirkin, four years after the left-back moved from Spurs to the Stadium of Light as a teenager.
Cirkin, now 23, has been an integral part of a Sunderland side that has stabilised itself in the EFL and will now return to the Premier League, though he might yet jump ship.
With Levy holding talks with Spurs’ divisional rivals, there’s a good chance this one might gather pace in the coming weeks, especially as the Black Cats are thought to be sounding out potential replacements.
Why Spurs want to sign Dennis Cirkin
Cirkin has never played a game in the Premier League, but he has established himself as “the best full-back in the Championship”, as has been remarked by journalist Josh Bunting.
After featuring prominently for Tottenham’s development sides, Cirkin has now made 116 appearances for Sunderland, of which 72 have come in the Championship, with eight goals scored and four assists placed.
While a robust physicality and a desire to get forward are staples of the Englishman’s skill set, his defensive roots are forked deep indeed, having averaged 2.5 tackles and 5.6 successful duels per league match last season, as per Sofascore.
His flair and roundedness, partnered with his development further down the English pyramid, even suggest that Cirkin could be Frank’s own version of Dele Alli, who was once such an indomitable force at Tottenham.
Dele joined Tottenham one decade ago, in 2015. He was highly touted, signing him from MK Dons for £5m and beating off fierce competition from clubs such as Liverpool.
An attacking midfielder, Dele transcended his role and became one of the greatest young stars that English football had ever seen, with his former manager, Jose Mourinho, even predicting he would become “one of the world’s best”.
This was hardly baseless; he was named the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year across his first two seasons at Spurs, having notched 67 goal contributions across his first three seasons in the top division.
And like Cirkin, Dele was more than capable of a wonder strike.
Mourinho has also recognised the former prospect’s skills. Back when the Portuguese manager managed Tottenham, he singled Cirkin out for praise after watching the development side compete in the UEFA Youth League.
Mourinho said: “I couldn’t be at the game but I watched on video our youth team playing in the [UEFA Youth League], and we also have [Dennis Cirkin].
“OK, he’s 17, but he’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development.”
These are players greatly opposed as far as positional value is considered, and Cirkin is older than his teenage compatriot was when he first headed down N17, but Tottenham know the value of signing a player who has cut their teeth in the EFL and would arrive in the Premier League with the expectation that they would look firmly in place among the high-level competition.
Dele’s story might have been a poignant one in recent years, but there’s no question he proved to the masses that those who foster their talents below the Premier League can become superstars in the division.
Cirkin has the advantage of having graduated from Tottenham’s academy, but he’s now in with a shout for returning and jockeying with Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence (who would shift back to the right upon Cirkin’s arrival), and becoming a major player for an exciting new Spurs project.
Could be better than Mbeumo: Spurs submit bid for £65m Premier League star
Tottenham are looking to make some signings to kickstart the Thomas Frank era.
1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 4, 2025