Tottenham may be approaching a crossroads, with one Nuno Espírito Santo-era signing now looking increasingly expendable amid a turbulent season in north London.
Many fans thought Spurs had hit rock bottom during Ange Postecoglou’s reign, but Thomas Frank’s spell has tested that belief. While Postecoglou’s time was often erratic, it brought excitement and a Europa League triumph that offered something to hold onto. Under Frank, however, Tottenham’s problems appear to have intensified.
Even with a top-eight finish in the Champions League phase secured, consistency has been painfully absent, especially at home. Frank’s return of just 1.15 points per game is the lowest ever posted by a manager of a traditional ‘big six’ club, worse even than his predecessor. With managerial upheaval now commonplace at Spurs, scrutiny is shifting away from the touchline and onto the players themselves.
Where it’s going wrong for Thomas Frank
Cristian Romero summed up the situation by branding it embarrassing that only 11 senior players were fit and available. Injuries have decimated the squad throughout the 2025/26 season, offering Frank some justification. The impact of Dominic Solanke’s return has been clear, highlighted by his brace against Manchester City, capped by an audacious scorpion-kick finish.
There is a case for patience with Frank until the squad is back to full strength. Although Xavi Simons arrived last summer, long-term absences for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have hurt badly, while Mohammed Kudus being ruled out until April has only deepened the crisis.
Still, fitness issues tell only part of the story. Several experienced players have underperformed. Guglielmo Vicario has struggled with costly errors, including one against Fulham that handed Harry Wilson a goal. Yves Bissouma’s attitude has also come under the spotlight, with the midfielder left out of the Super Cup squad after repeated lateness.
Pedro Porro has not escaped criticism either. Less secure defensively and less influential in attack, the full-back has failed to score and has managed just two assists in 23 league outings — a sharp decline from his 2024/25 numbers. With creativity scarce elsewhere, his output was expected to rise, but instead he has reflected the team’s wider malaise.
A defining summer looms
A major clear-out now feels unavoidable. The futures of Porro, Bissouma and Vicario are all in doubt, with Spurs already linked to Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs as a possible successor. Yet the most urgent issue lies elsewhere.
Romero, brought in during Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure, has become one of the most polarising figures at the club. He has shown quality at times, mixing aggression with strong distribution and chipping in with key goals against sides like Newcastle and Burnley. His commitment has seldom been questioned.
But his recent performances and behaviour have sparked serious concern. His public comments about squad availability made headlines, and although Frank insisted the matter was handled internally, the focus quickly shifted back to the pitch. A rash tackle on Casemiro earned a straight red card, a decision referee Michael Oliver had little option but to make.
The timing could hardly be worse. Romero will now miss four matches — three for the severity of the offence and another due to it being his second red of the league campaign. No player has been sent off more often in the Premier League this season.
Since arriving in 2021, Romero has collected more Premier League red cards than any other player, while his six dismissals across all competitions place him joint-top in Spurs’ history. Former winger Chris Waddle recently questioned the logic of offering him a long-term deal, remarking that it can seem “like he’s never really wanted to be at Tottenham.”
Whether harsh or not, the trend is hard to dismiss. Romero has repeatedly left Spurs a man down at pivotal moments, damaging both morale and momentum. With tensions rising and a rebuild clearly needed, this summer could well signal the end of his Spurs career.
