Thomas Frank
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent signing, Xavi, has faced challenges in establishing himself within the team since his £51 million transfer from RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old playmaker, brought in after failed attempts to sign Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, has not started a match in nearly a month. Despite his limited impact, Tottenham’s manager, Thomas Frank, remains optimistic about Xavi’s potential to become a key playmaker for the club.
Thomas Frank said: “Yeah, definitely. That’s one of the reasons why we got him here. I think he’s got a very big potential to be that playmaker. How can you say? Creator but also finisher. I think he’s very good at finishing, very good at scoring goals and arriving in the right areas. I have a big belief that he’ll be very good for us. But it’s like with anything, we like it to be like this, to make it work. All the time it takes a little bit longer. But as long as the player trains well, keeps the right attitude, keeps doing the right thing, step by step, we will see him flourish. I’m not in doubt of that. Just because we’re always so good to judge him now, but probably after a year or two, oh, how good is he? Now everyone is talking about Damsgaard.”
Frank’s comments reflect his confidence in Xavi’s abilities, despite the player’s current struggles. The manager emphasized the importance of patience and development, suggesting that Xavi’s true potential may take time to manifest. Frank also highlighted the need to build professional relationships with players to maximize their contributions to the team.
Thomas Frank explained: “I’m a big believer in terms of trying to create a relationship, a professional relationship with the players. That’s how I work. So it’s the same with Xavi, with Mathys [Tel], with Brennan [Johnson]. It’s all the players, how do we get it working? And also with which players, where do we find the right position for them? So that’s a constant development.”
The manager admitted that injuries to key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke have made it challenging to determine his best starting XI. This uncertainty has led to experimentation with various players, including Xavi, in different positions.
Thomas Frank said: “I think that’s fair [to suggest]. I’ve got an idea of quite a few positions. Or maybe sometimes it’s 10. I think we look at not every position, but we’re prepared in every position to see if there is something we can do to improve the squad.”
Frank’s remarks indicate that Tottenham may explore options in the upcoming January transfer window to strengthen their squad. The manager is focused on finding the right balance and improving the team’s performance, especially in light of the demanding schedule and frequent rotation of players.
Thomas Frank added: “The biggest difference obviously now is the amount of games, I think that’s the biggest thing. The short turnaround. Of course, I experienced it during Covid, we had 21 games in a row, that was Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday and so on. We had two spells of 2-2-2, with a lot of travelling, that’s heavy.”
As Tottenham navigates this challenging period, Frank remains committed to building a long-term vision for the club. His approach emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and development, aiming to transform Tottenham into a formidable force in the Premier League.
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