Saved by Solanke: Frank must axe 6/10 Spurs dud who lost possession 20x vs Frankfurt

Tottenham Hotspur booked their spot in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night after producing an impressive and controlled 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

Spurs delivered a professional European performance on the road, showing maturity and resilience to shut out the Bundesliga side while taking their chances at the other end. It was a result that not only secured qualification but also offered a timely confidence boost for a squad that has been battling inconsistency in domestic competition.

The breakthrough arrived just minutes after the restart. From an early set-piece situation, Cristian Romero rose highest in the area and knocked the ball down into a dangerous zone, where Randal Kolo Muani reacted quickest. The French forward showed sharp instincts to poke the ball home from close range and give Tottenham a deserved lead.

Frankfurt tried to respond with more urgency, but Spurs remained compact and disciplined, limiting the hosts to speculative efforts and frustrating their attacking players. Thomas Frank’s side continued to look dangerous on the break, and their persistence was rewarded late on.

With under 15 minutes remaining, Dominic Solanke was introduced from the bench, and the striker made an immediate impact. The England international calmly found the back of the net to seal the contest, registering his first goal of the season and ensuring Spurs finished the night in complete control.

The result could prove vital for Thomas Frank, who has been under mounting pressure following Tottenham’s disappointing recent run in the Premier League. Progressing in Europe offers breathing room for the Dane and provides belief that his project still has momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Despite the positive scoreline, not every Spurs player emerged from the match with credit. Several individuals struggled to reach their usual standards, and their performances may raise questions over their long-term status as regular starters in Frank’s system.

Spurs’ underwhelming performers in Frankfurt

Guglielmo Vicario once again started in goal and did keep a clean sheet, but his display was far from flawless. While Frankfurt failed to beat him, the Italian looked uncomfortable in possession and hesitant when dealing with balls into the penalty area.

Vicario completed 20 passes during the contest but failed to claim a single high ball inside his box, an issue that has followed him throughout his time in north London. His distribution also remained problematic, with just 50 per cent of his long passes finding a teammate. That lack of composure with the ball at his feet continues to invite pressure and has become a recurring talking point among supporters and pundits alike.

In midfield, Archie Gray endured one of his quieter evenings in a Tottenham shirt. The teenager has been a revelation for much of the season, but against Frankfurt he struggled to impose himself in the centre of the park.

Gray did not register a single tackle and managed only one interception, failing to disrupt play in the way his partner Joao Palhinha regularly does. He also completed just five forward passes throughout the game, highlighting a reluctance or inability to dictate the tempo from his deep-lying role. For a player usually praised for his intelligence and composure, it was an unusually subdued showing.

The Spurs player who could face the axe after Frankfurt

Although Spurs claimed a comfortable victory, Frank will still be left with several tactical dilemmas ahead of the next round of fixtures. Injuries have limited his rotation options, which was evident from the number of academy players named on the bench in Germany.

The lack of depth has already forced the manager’s hand in several positions, and further reinforcements before the transfer window closes could be crucial. Conor Gallagher and Souza are the only arrivals so far, but performances like those against Frankfurt may convince the club hierarchy that additional investment is needed in key areas.

One player who may find himself under scrutiny is Djed Spence. The full-back was given a rare opportunity at right-back following confirmation that Pedro Porro will be sidelined for around a month after picking up an injury against Burnley.

However, Spence struggled to make the most of his chance. Despite playing the full 90 minutes due to limited alternatives, the Englishman found life difficult against Frankfurt’s wide players.

He lost ten duels — more than any other player on the pitch — and committed three fouls as he attempted to recover from poor positioning. In possession, his influence was minimal. Spence attempted six dribbles but completed only two, while just one of his crosses successfully found a teammate, underlining his limited attacking output.

Perhaps most concerning was how often he surrendered the ball. The full-back lost possession 20 times, again the highest figure among Tottenham’s players, illustrating how frequently Frankfurt were able to exploit his side of the pitch. His struggles were reflected in the post-match ratings, with Evening Standard journalist Sam Tabuteau awarding him a modest 6/10.

Such numbers will inevitably plant doubts in Thomas Frank’s mind. Spence simply failed to meet the expectations placed on him ahead of such an important European fixture, and his performance fell short of the standards required at Champions League level.

For now, Tottenham’s lack of depth may protect him from immediate exclusion, but Frank will be keen to explore alternative options in the coming weeks — whether internally or through new signings — to ensure the right-back role does not become a weak point.

Still, the wider picture remains positive for Spurs. Victory in Frankfurt was a major statement on the European stage and could serve as a turning point in Thomas Frank’s tenure. If Tottenham can build on this momentum, the Champions League campaign may yet become the platform for a much-needed revival in north London.