Thomas Frank can repeat Bryan Mbeumo masterstroke by signing ‘special’ Tottenham target
Thomas Frank may be a match made in heaven for one Tottenham target.
Tottenham were denied Morgan Gibbs-White after he extended at Nottingham Forest. Eberechi Eze was all but done before Arsenal swooped in at the last minute.
Over a month after the Lilywhites expressed their desire for another attacking midfielder, Spurs are right where they started. With James Maddison ruled out for Tottenham with an ACL injury, arguably, they are worse off.
As a result, Daniel Levy will be accelerating his efforts to find a solution in the final days of the window. But with several available options, El Khannouss could be the best choice for Tottenham on the market.
Thomas Frank to transform Bilal El Khannouss like Bryan Mbeumo
Tottenham wanted to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but the winger had his heart set on Manchester United.
While both parties have gone their separate ways, Frank could be tempted to use the same blueprint for El Khannouss as he did when transforming Mbeumo at Brentford.
The right-winger was a Frank signing and landed at the Gtech Community Stadium aged 20. This would parallel El Khannouss, who would also be signed by Frank and arrive at Tottenham at a similar age.
Before the Dane took a chance on him, Mbeumo was in the second division of French football with Troyes. He went on to score 17 goals and provide seven assists in his first season at Brentford.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Brentford | 242 | 70 | 51 |
Mbeumo was part of the Bees side, which was promoted to the Premier League in 2021, providing 21 goal contributions in all competitions. The Dane consistently provided him with the freedom on the wing to cut inside and make things happen.
The right winger once again reached astronomical heights in his final season at Brentford, which included 20 goals and 9 assists in the 2024/25 Premier League.
Frank could look to transform El Khannouss similarly if he is signed from Leicester City. The attacking midfielder would be given the freedom to move across the midfield while finding attackers in pockets of space.
It is entirely possible that Frank repeats the masterstroke seen at Brentford with Mbeumo.
- Read more: Mikkel Damsgaard reunion: Three midfielders Tottenham could sign after Nico Paz rejection
What can Bilal El Khannouss bring to Tottenham?
El Khannouss’ ‘special’ potential makes him an attractive candidate for Tottenham, but there are still questions about whether he would strengthen the team.
His game demonstrates the possibility to become one of the Premier League’s best while a need for improvement.
Strengths:
- Technical ability: El Khannouss is technically gifted and attacks games through his dribbling, passing and ball control
- Versatility: The 21-year-old can play as a deep-lying playmaker and an attacking midfielder
- Vision and creative output: He has an excellent read of the game, which he uses to create goal-scoring opportunities
Weaknesses:
- Physicality: While this has improved, his lighter physical build has been an issue when entering duels with stronger opponents
- Finishing: El Khannouss lacks composure when in front of goal, which has led to several missed opportunities
- Inconsistent decision-making: Like most young players, El Khannouss can be erratic in his decision-making
There is, without a doubt, room for improvement. But El Khannouss’ technical skill, versatility and creativity are solid foundations for Frank to build on.
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