Thomas Frank Must Drop Ange Favourite Who Was ‘Shocking’ For Spurs vs Leeds
Tottenham Hotspur could soon be forced to make a bold decision regarding their number one goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, after his underwhelming performance in the club’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road. Despite securing all three points, questions are being raised about the Italian’s recent form and whether it’s time for Thomas Frank to hand a starting opportunity to Antonin Kinsky.
Leeds came into the fixture brimming with confidence, unbeaten on home soil so far this season. The newly-promoted side had already claimed a win and two draws against Everton, Newcastle United, and Bournemouth—showcasing that they were far more competitive than many expected. Alongside Sunderland and Burnley, the Whites have outperformed last season’s promoted clubs, earning praise for their spirited displays.
Tottenham, on the other hand, arrived in Yorkshire in fine form under new boss Thomas Frank. The North London outfit had lost just once in their opening six Premier League matches and were also unbeaten in the Champions League. Their momentum was evident early on, as they took the lead when Mathys Tel’s deflected effort wrong-footed Karl Darlow and nestled into the back of the net.
Leeds, however, showed resilience and equalised before the break through summer signing Noah Okafor, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to tap home from close range. The turning point came early in the second half when Mohammed Kudus restored Spurs’ advantage with a deflected strike—his first Premier League goal for Tottenham since his move from West Ham. Despite Leeds pressing hard for a second equaliser, Frank’s men held firm to claim another valuable victory, continuing their promising start to the campaign.
Yet, not all was positive for the visitors. While Spurs looked disciplined and well-organised in most areas, the spotlight once again fell on Guglielmo Vicario, whose performance raised concerns among fans and pundits alike. Leeds’ equaliser stemmed directly from the Italian’s mistake—after parrying Brenden Aaronson’s initial shot into the danger zone, Vicario left Okafor with an open goal to score.
It was another nervy display from the 28-year-old, who appeared uncertain in his decision-making and hesitant when commanding his area. This isn’t the first time Vicario’s performances have been called into question in recent months. Despite his impressive debut season under Ange Postecoglou, his form has noticeably dipped, with several high-profile errors eroding the confidence that once made him a reliable presence between the posts.
During Postecoglou’s tenure, Vicario was virtually undroppable—regardless of form or performance. However, the dynamic has shifted under Thomas Frank, whose tactical structure has brought more defensive stability to Spurs. With that newfound solidity, some argue it could be the perfect time to test Kinsky, the Czech goalkeeper signed from Slavia Prague in the 2025 January transfer window.
Kinsky, who impressed during a brief run of games earlier in the year, has yet to be given a sustained chance in the starting XI. Now, with Vicario struggling to convince, the door may be opening for the young shot-stopper to prove his worth behind a more settled and organised backline.
Unsurprisingly, Tottenham fans took to social media after the Leeds game to express their frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), supporters vented their displeasure at Vicario’s display. One fan fumed, “Vicario. No pressure on him at all. Boots the ball to their keeper. He is so frustrating.” Another added, “Vicario is such a concern… last person who should be in the leadership group.”
The frustration didn’t stop there. Spurs-focused account The Spurs Watch bluntly declared that “Vicario needs to be dropped,” while another supporter claimed both Vicario and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur should “pack (their) bags.” One fan summed up the sentiment of many by writing, “Vicario has been awful for weeks—he needs to be dropped,” while another simply described his showing as “shocking.”
As Tottenham prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, Frank now faces a difficult decision. Does he stick with his under-pressure number one, trusting Vicario to rediscover his form, or hand the gloves to Kinsky in search of greater composure at the back? With Spurs pushing to maintain their strong start in both domestic and European competitions, the next few games could prove decisive for Vicario’s future as Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper.