Thomas Frank praised for ‘smart’ business as ‘disillusioned’ player remains at Tottenham
Thomas Frank has all the tools at his disposal to deliver big things at Tottenham.
Frank will be under huge pressure to succeed at Tottenham with Ange Postecoglou replacing Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest manager.
The Australian will have Morgan Gibbs-White at his disposal after Tottenham missed out on him in the summer.
While the 51-year-old has had a fine start in North London, he may have been handed his biggest boost yet.
Tottenham News presents the exclusive opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Cristian Romero a fan of the new Thomas Frank wave
For a while, it seemed like Cristian Romero was set to join Atletico Madrid. However, the defender has since signed an extension at Tottenham and is a huge part of their future.
Romero was also appointed Tottenham captain after Son Heung-min departed the club following almost a decade in North London.
It was touch-and-go in the summer. But Ian Darke – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Frank’s new wave at Spurs convinced Romero to extend.
“I think it’s probably smart, shrewd bit of business again from Frank,” Darke said.
“He’s looked at him and thought, I’ve got a real quality defender here. So they’ve spoken to him. They’ve told him, “Look, you’re the main man, you’re our captain, here’s a new deal, you’re going to be the highest earner at the club.”
“And I think that’s true. I think he’s liked everything he’s heard, and he likes the feel of Frank’s new wave, Tottenham. So I think I think he’s a pretty happy bunny. If he can be that key figure for Spurs, it’s all good news.
“I think last season, he looked like quite a disillusioned player who was just playing out his time with the club, and it looked like he’d definitely be on his way, but things change, don’t they?”
How has Cristian Romero performed for Tottenham this season?
Romero has had a fine start to the Premier League season under Frank and since becoming Tottenham’s captain.
The defender has been a force to be reckoned with, winning 66.7 per cent of his duels per 90 and 1.33 of his interceptions. Indeed, 1.33 per 90 is his special number, as that is also his record for blocked shots and fouls committed so far.
| Duels won | 4.67 per 90 |
| Duels won % | 66.7% |
| Incterceptions | 1.33 per 90 |
| Blocked shots | 1.33 per 90 |
| Fouls committed | 1.33 per 90 |
| Recoveries | 4.67 per 90 |
He has also made 4.67 worth of recoveries this season and, shockingly, has completed 100 per cent of his dribbles.
As such, his defensive contributions so far sit him at the same table as some of the best in the league, and if Frank wants to continue winning, Romero needs to maintain this form.
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