Fewer touches than Vicario: Frank must immediately drop “shocking” 4/10 Spurs flop
Tottenham Hotspur extended their unbeaten run in the UEFA Champions League this season after grinding out a goalless draw against AS Monaco in France on Wednesday night. While the result keeps Spurs’ hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive, the performance itself was far from convincing, leaving plenty for head coach Thomas Frank to ponder ahead of the weekend.
Despite the point, Tottenham looked second best for large spells of the contest. Monaco, who dominated possession and created wave after wave of pressure, were unfortunate not to come away with all three points. The Ligue 1 side racked up 23 shots on goal—eight of which were on target—forcing Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario into several outstanding saves to keep his team level. Tottenham, by contrast, offered very little going forward, managing just two shots on target across the 90 minutes.
It was the kind of lifeless display that will frustrate Frank, especially coming so soon after the disappointing defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend. The Dane’s side looked drained of ideas, lacking both rhythm and confidence in possession. There was little evidence of the attacking intensity that Frank has tried to instill since taking over, and the midfield, in particular, appeared sluggish and disjointed.
With a crucial Premier League clash against David Moyes’ Everton looming, Frank now faces mounting pressure to refresh his starting eleven and address several underperforming areas within the squad.
Spurs’ Underperformers in Monaco
Among Tottenham’s misfiring contingent, Rodrigo Bentancur stood out for all the wrong reasons. The Uruguayan international was given a chance to control the midfield but struggled badly against Monaco’s energetic press. He failed to win a single tackle or ground duel, was dispossessed seven times, and committed one needless foul in a frustrating evening. Bentancur’s lack of influence meant Spurs frequently lost the midfield battle, allowing Monaco to dictate the tempo almost at will.
Lucas Bergvall, another player Frank has shown great faith in, also endured one of his poorest games since joining the club. The young Swede completed just six passes before being substituted after an hour—averaging a pass every ten minutes. Like Bentancur, he failed to win a tackle and was dribbled past twice as Monaco repeatedly overran Tottenham’s midfield. His withdrawal midway through the second half summed up a performance lacking the composure and creativity he has shown in flashes this season.
However, while both midfielders underwhelmed, the night once again highlighted the struggles of one player in particular—Richarlison, whose form has rapidly deteriorated after a promising start to the campaign.
Richarlison’s Struggles Continue
Although Tottenham have lost just two matches in all competitions since Frank’s arrival, their attacking output has been worryingly poor in Europe. In three Champions League matches so far, Spurs have managed only three goals, two of which came via opposition own goals. Alarmingly, Micky van de Ven remains the only Tottenham player to score a legitimate goal in Europe this season—a statistic that perfectly captures the side’s toothlessness in attack.
At the heart of this issue is Richarlison, whose lack of sharpness and confidence has become increasingly concerning. The £60 million forward has now gone six consecutive games without a goal across all competitions, his last strike coming in the 2-2 draw against Brighton over a month ago. His performance against Monaco was another low point in what has been a worrying slump.
The Brazilian was virtually anonymous during his 70-minute appearance, completing just six passes, taking only one shot on goal, and managing a mere 20 touches—fewer than goalkeeper Vicario, who recorded 49. He failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles and lost possession eight times, often killing attacking moves before they could develop.
It came as little surprise when Richarlison received a dismal 4/10 rating from The Evening Standard’s Matt Verri, who described the striker’s display as “shocking.” The criticism reflects growing frustration among fans and pundits alike, many of whom believe Frank’s continued patience with the Brazilian is becoming difficult to justify.
Time for a Change
Frank’s loyalty to Richarlison has been admirable, but the evidence now points to a player desperately out of form and out of confidence. With Tottenham struggling to convert chances and their Champions League campaign finely poised, the manager may have no choice but to make a bold change.
Mathys Tel, who has impressed in limited minutes this season, could provide the spark Spurs are currently missing in attack. The young Frenchman’s pace, movement, and energy would offer something different to a Tottenham frontline that has too often looked predictable.
As the Lilywhites prepare to host Everton at the weekend, Frank faces a crucial decision: persist with an out-of-sorts Richarlison or hand an opportunity to a player hungry to prove himself. One thing is certain—Tottenham’s European ambitions will require more than just resilience in defence. If the goals don’t start flowing soon, their unbeaten run could quickly become irrelevant.