Guardian writers' predicted place: sixth (NB: this isn't essentially Ed Aarons's prediction however the common of our writers' suggestions)
Final season's place: seventeenth
Prospects
The sacking of Ange Postecoglou after he ended Tottenham's 17-year await a trophy by profitable the Europa League divided opinion amongst supporters, though the appointment of the skilled Thomas Frank has been usually acquired with enthusiasm. Not even that evening in Bilbao was sufficient to save lots of Postecoglou after Spurs ended final season seventeenth – their lowest inserting since 1977 – having misplaced 22 video games. However Frank, after slicing his tooth with a Brentford workforce that constantly punched above their weight, deserves the possibility to indicate what he can do with extra assets after the chair, Daniel Levy, opted for the Dane over candidates corresponding to Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola or Fulham's Marco Silva.
Frank will know a very good begin is crucial if Tottenham are to construct on the momentum of their Europa League triumph that additionally secured Champions League qualification. The departure of the captain, Son Heung-min, for Los Angeles symbolised the tip of an period in north London and there may be loads of work to do to ensure they're outfitted to problem on all fronts. Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and João Palhinha – who ought to add some much-needed chew in central midfield after becoming a member of on mortgage – have bolstered a squad since weakened by the knee harm sustained by James Maddison. A transfer for Morgan Gibbs-White did not materialise after Nottingham Forest dug their heels in and Spurs have rekindled curiosity in Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace, having additionally focused Manchester Metropolis's Savinho.
If Frank can safe extra attacking additions he ought to at the least have the ability to make Tottenham contenders for the highest six once more and fulfill Levy's short-term remit of competing on the highest degree in each competitors, not only one.
The supervisor
Frank has grow to be often called one among English soccer's most personable managers in his seven years at Brentford however don't let that idiot you into pondering he doesn't have a ruthless facet. Over a crab starter and sole meunière ready by Gary Lineker in January for the BBC's Soccer Focus, Frank admitted he does lose his mood on events: “When one thing is de facto irritating you, it's only a burst. Growth.” Tottenham followers will welcome one other supervisor who offers his groups with a transparent identification and has an ambition to play attacking soccer however who additionally recognises the worth of being powerful to interrupt down.
Off-field image
It has additionally been a summer season of change within the boardroom at Spurs after the appointment of Vinai Venkatesham because the chief government – he held the identical position at their north London rivals Arsenal till final summer season – after the departure of the long-serving government director Donna-Maria Cullen. Levy and Spurs' proprietor, Enic, have made no secret that they've been looking out for traders over the previous few years, and there have been talks over promoting profitable naming rights to the stadium, which has hosted NFL, boxing, rugby and Kendrick Lamar amongst different issues this 12 months.
Star signing
Kudus is the primary participant to affix Spurs from West Ham since Scott Parker in 2011, when the midfielder left a membership that had completed backside, and the ahead's arrival has excited supporters regardless of his disappointing closing marketing campaign on the London Stadium. The Ghana worldwide confirmed throughout his first season after signing from Ajax in 2023 that he has the power to thrive within the Premier League when utilised accurately, even when there have been solely glimpses of his expertise as West Ham struggled beneath Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter. Will probably be intriguing to see whether or not Frank regards Kudus as right-winger or has plans to make use of him extra centrally as effectively – a place the 25-year-old has beforehand stated he favours.
Stepping up
Mikey Moore has joined Rangers and the 18-year-old Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic appears poised to depart on mortgage as effectively regardless of starring in pre-season. However Frank might be relishing the possibility to work Archie Grey after lacking out on signing the versatile teenager from Leeds final summer season when in cost at Brentford. Grey, who made three appearances for England's Below-21s in the summertime as they received the European Championship in Slovakia, was even pressed into emergency responsibility at centre-back for Spurs final season throughout a defensive harm disaster however will hope to determine himself in his favoured central midfield place.
A giant season for …
There have been rumours in the beginning of the summer season that Cristian Romero may need performed his final sport for Tottenham amid sturdy curiosity from Spain, particularly Atlético Madrid. The 2022 World Cup winner ended up staying and has been chosen because the captain after Son's departure. Romero struggled with accidents final season, making 18 appearances within the Premier League, however the 27-year-old has improved his disciplinary file and types a powerful partnership on the again with Micky van de Ven when each are match.
