Not just Richy: Frank must axe 5/10 Spurs star who had fewer touches than Vicario
Tottenham scrape past Villarreal but Frank faces big selection calls after poor individual displays
Tottenham Hotspur began their Champions League 2025/26 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Spanish outfit Villarreal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It wasn’t the kind of swashbuckling, free-flowing performance Spurs fans might have hoped for under new boss Thomas Frank, but the result mattered most, and an early own goal from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior was enough to secure all three points on the opening night.
The Lilywhites will need sharper, more composed performances if they are to navigate a tricky group stage and secure automatic progression to the round of 16. Winning ugly might do for now, but Frank knows that such displays won’t be enough when tougher tests arrive, especially with a challenging away trip to Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt looming at the end of the month.
If Spurs are to improve in that clash, Frank may have to make some tough decisions—starting with dropping a couple of players who underperformed badly against Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side.
Richarlison’s struggles highlight ongoing concern
Richarlison has been a lively presence for Spurs this season, already netting twice in domestic action, but his display on Tuesday night was arguably one of his most ineffective in recent memory.
Leading the line in Frank’s setup, the Brazilian failed to justify the trust placed in him. Across 77 minutes, he managed only 23 touches of the ball, completing just three passes, a statistic that underscores how little impact he had in linking play or maintaining possession.
Even more concerning was his lack of attacking threat. He failed to complete a single dribble, didn’t register a shot on target, and looked isolated throughout the contest. To compound matters, his frustration boiled over when he clattered into Juan Foyth with a late challenge that earned him a yellow card—a reminder of the rash tendencies that have sometimes overshadowed his talent.
At 28, Richarlison should be providing leadership and consistency at the top end of the pitch, yet this performance was a step backward. While Frank will be mindful not to dent the striker’s confidence, dropping him for the upcoming European tie may be the best way to send a message and explore alternative attacking options such as Dominic Solanke or Mathys Tel.
Djed Spence also under scrutiny after poor European debut
Richarlison wasn’t the only Spurs player to endure a disappointing evening. Right-back Djed Spence, who has been one of the early beneficiaries of Frank’s arrival, also turned in a below-par performance.
The 25-year-old has started every match since Frank took charge, earning plaudits for his energy and form that even secured him a first call-up to the England senior squad during the recent international break. Yet under the bright lights of the Champions League, Spence struggled to impose himself.
Across his 69 minutes on the pitch, he won just one tackle, failed to make a single interception, and frequently lost possession—nine times in total. His passing radar was off too, with six misplaced passes and only 52 touches in total, fewer than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who registered 55.
Football London’s Alasdair Gold was particularly scathing, awarding Spence a 5/10 rating for his performance, a mark that underlined how far he fell below his usual standards. Instead of the confident, dynamic full-back fans have come to expect, Spence’s European debut was riddled with hesitancy and poor decision-making.
Frank could now turn to Destiny Udogie, who has been waiting patiently for an opportunity to reclaim a starting spot. The Italian left-back might be handed a Premier League start this weekend, giving Spence time to regroup.
Frank’s balancing act
Despite the unconvincing display, Frank can still point to positives. His side have won four of their first five matches under his stewardship, including a statement victory over Manchester City and comfortable wins against Burnley and West Ham. The momentum is still with Spurs, and the foundations for progress remain strong.
But Frank will be wary of allowing standards to slip. Champions League campaigns are often decided by fine margins, and a repeat of the sluggish performance against Villarreal could easily prove costly in tougher fixtures.
For now, Richarlison and Spence may be the most obvious casualties of Frank’s next team selection. Both endured evenings to forget, and with squad depth improving under the Dane, alternative solutions are available.
Tottenham got the job done, but if they are to grow into genuine contenders in Europe, Frank must show he is willing to make bold calls—even if it means benching some of his big-name players.