Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach, Thomas Frank, has made a solid start to life in North London, having crossed the capital from Brentford in the summer.
After earning ten points from his opening five Premier League fixtures, including impressive showings away at Manchester City and West Ham United, Spurs fans can begin to see who Frank favours after his first run of fixtures.
The Dane is a manager known for selecting different players, formations and systems depending on the opposition he faces, so all players can be sure that their chance will come at some point.
With there being some early favourites for the head coach, and perhaps those who may have struggled so far, here’s a look at three winners and losers at Tottenham from the early managerial change.
Richarlison rejuvenated by newfound fitness at Tottenham
Spurs striker Richarlison has been an obvious winner since Frank’s arrival, having started all but one of this season’s initial seven fixtures.
After recovering from repeated injury issues which have heavily disrupted his Spurs career so far, it is now fellow striker Dominic Solanke who is out injured with an ankle problem suffered in August.
With three goals to his name already, Richarlison has staked his claim to be Spurs’ first-choice number nine under the new manager.
Pape Matar Sarr impressing at Tottenham
Energetic box-to-box midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has had a flying start to the season, was fantastic against PSG in the Super Cup final and understandably seems to be a real favourite of his new manager.
There is stiff competition for places in the Spurs midfield, with new signings Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons enhancing this.
Having opened the scoring against West Ham a fortnight ago with a powerful back-post header, not to mention grabbing a brace on international duty for Senegal, it looks like Pape Sarr could soon nail down a starting spot in Thomas Frank’s Spurs 11.
Mohammed Kudus making his mark at Tottenham
New £55 million signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United has consistently been one of Spurs’ best players in the early stages of the 2025-26 season.
Having registered 19 successful take-ons, the most in the league so far, as well as four assists in five league matches, it has been a really bright start for the Ghanaian.
After club legend Heung Min Son left this summer, joining another former Spurs captain Hugo Lloris at Los Angeles FC, Spurs fans have stressed the need for a star player to come in and fill his boots.
Brennan Johnson struggling to replicate Tottenham form
Brennan Johnson, Spurs’ top scorer last season with 17 goals in all competitions, made a bright start to this campaign with two goals in the opening two Premier League matches.
However, Johnson has started on the bench for the last three games and this has much to do with the arrival of Mohammed Kudus.
Kudus’ arrival will likely see the end of Johnson’s spell as a starting right winger, and he will face fierce competition on the left from Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert.
Mathys Tel’s lack of impact since permanent Tottenham move
Mathys Tel himself will be disappointed after being omitted from Spurs’ Champions League squad for the league phase.
A poor performance off the bench against PSG in the Super Cup final will not have helped his case, although he was much improved up front against West Ham United, where he started the match.
Antonin Kinsky struggling for minutes
Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is yet to make a competitive appearance for Spurs under the new head coach, although he will hope to do so against Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup.
After making eight appearances in the second half of last season, Kinsky will hope to receive sufficient minutes this season in order to continue his development.
Guglielmo Vicario has made a very strong start to the season, keeping three clean sheets in the opening five league matches, so Kinsky will likely have to bide his time to become Spurs’ number one goalkeeper.