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Five Tottenham players looking to impress Thomas Frank in first week of pre-season

With a new manager in the dugout and a fresh start on the horizon, several Tottenham players will be desperate to catch the eye of Thomas Frank as pre-season kicks off this week.

Thomas Frank will be desperate to get Tottenham Hotspur back into the top six of the Premier League next season, following the Lilywhites’ drastic fall to 17th last term.

The Danish manager will be glad that he is set to have a full pre-season with his new group of players, as he begins preparations for what is expected to be a long and demanding campaign.

It has been reported that several Tottenham first-team players will return to training later this week, with many of them set to meet the new head coach for the first time.

However, a few players will be hoping to make a great first impression in the first few weeks of training, and we have identified five.

Dominic Solanke Tottenham

(Credit @thefrederikkejensen / Instagram)

Dominic Solanke could be a versatile forward for Thomas Frank

Having spent their record transfer fee when signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth two seasons ago, the English forward has always been a nailed-on starter for Tottenham when fit.

Last season, he showed he is capable of having an impact on football matches even when he does not find the back of the net.

His pressing and hold-up play were traits that drew praise throughout the campaign, even though he failed to reach double figures for goals or assists, scoring nine and assisting three in 27 games.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, coming from Brentford, where his number nine, Yoane Wissa, managed 19 goals in 37 games, he will surely demand more from Solanke.

The Englishman, however, will be eager to prove that he can function as a dynamic forward who scores goals consistently, and pre-season would be a great starting point for the Tottenham forward.

Lucas Bergvall needs to stake a claim for the second pivot role

It is no secret that Thomas Frank’s preferred formation is 4-2-3-1, a system that requires two holding midfielders.

At present, one would expect Rodrigo Bentancur to be one of the pivot midfielders of Frank’s choice, as the Uruguayan is capable of picking a pass and offering quality in the build-up.

However, a midfield destroyer who can do the dirty work and win tackles, just as Christian Norgaard did under Frank at Brentford, will also be needed.

This leaves a spot available for Lucas Bergvall, who in the first few sessions under Frank could be tested in that role, functioning as a ball-winning midfielder who also arrives late in the box to score goals.

The expectation is that Tottenham will enter the market for a defensive midfielder, since Yves Bissouma could be sold this summer.

But if Bergvall can impress during pre-season training, it could influence the calibre of player Tottenham ultimately sign.

Will Lankshear could push to be a Spurs squad player under Frank

Thomas Frank was brought in to develop youngsters as well, which means that if a young player shows quality, they will be given a chance.

Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Will Lankshear will have the opportunity to stake a claim for a place as a backup option, especially with reports that Richarlison is considering his Tottenham future.

The Brazilian could be sold this summer, and should that happen, Tottenham will need someone to serve as an understudy to Solanke.

If Lankshear manages to impress during pre-season, he could well be placed for that role under Frank at Tottenham this year.

Thomas Frank Tottenham

Credit: Tottenham Hotspur

Ashley Phillips will fight not to be loaned this summer

Tottenham are well stocked at the back ahead of the 2025/26 season, with at least seven centre-backs currently on their books, including new signing Kota Takai.

It is claimed that Thomas Frank has a decision to make regarding some of Spurs’ returning loan players, particularly in defence.

As it stands, Luka Vuskovic, Ashley Phillips and Kota Takai could all be candidates for a loan move. Phillips, who impressed in the Championship last season, will be hoping that his added experience in English football gives him an edge over the others, making pre-season absolutely crucial for the young centre-back.

Jamie Donley has to make the number ten spot his in the absence of Tottenham starters

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are both out injured and are expected to miss a large chunk of pre-season, with Maddison currently racing against time to be fit for the Burnley clash.

Dejan Kulusevski may not return until spring, highlighting the severity of his injury. This creates a significant opportunity for Jamie Donley, who impressed last season in League One with Leyton Orient.

The attacking midfielder scored eight goals and provided 10 assists during his loan spell, but with those performances coming in the third tier, he has a strong point to prove this pre-season with the Spurs first team.

It has already been reported that Donley has been given a chance to impress Frank this summer – it is now up to the 20-year-old to make his case for a place in the Tottenham squad this season.

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