logo
Who will be Frank's number 10?

Who will be Frank's number 10?

BBC News25-07-2025
One of Thomas Frank's most reliable performers last season at Brentford was his elegant playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard.The 25-year-old was largely deployed as a number 10 in Frank's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and contributed 10 assists in 34 top-flight starts.But the Dane's work-rate - something Frank demands from his creative players - also caught the eye and he won possession 35 times in the final third last term, more than any other Premier League midfielder.So can anybody replicate Damsgaard's output for Frank in this Tottenham team?The obvious choice is James Maddison, who possesses the necessary creativity and passing ability - he scored nine goals and provided seven assists for Spurs in the league in 20024-25. However, he ran an average of 10.7km per game, which is the lowest of any of Tottenham's recognised midfielders.Dejan Kulusevski was used centrally by Ange Postecoglou and is one of the side's most imaginative and industrious midfielders. The Sweden international chipped in with seven goals and four assists and covered an average of 12.4km per 90 minutes - only compatriot Lucas Bergvall ran further in a Spurs shirt last season.Another option is Mohammed Kudus, who played alongside Damsgaard at FC Nordsjaelland in 2019-20. The Ghana international mostly featured on the right at West Ham but has repeatedly said his preferred position is through the middle. He is a superb dribbler but created an average of just one chance per game from open play in 2024-25.
Kulusevski is nursing a knee injury and had surgery in May, meaning it is likely to be a straight shootout between Kudus and Maddison - who has just recovered from his own knee problem – to fulfil that role in the short to medium term.Alternatively, Tottenham could still sign Nottingham Forest's number 10 and creator-in-chief Morgan Gibbs-White, who they made an approach for earlier this month.Of course, Spurs could always try to sign Damsgaard to join his former manager and play the role himself, but he did only extend his contract with the Bees until 2030 in January.Sign up for news alerts on your Premier League team
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

F1 standings after Hungarian GP as Lando Norris closes gap to Oscar Piastri
F1 standings after Hungarian GP as Lando Norris closes gap to Oscar Piastri

The Independent

time7 minutes ago

  • The Independent

F1 standings after Hungarian GP as Lando Norris closes gap to Oscar Piastri

F1 returns to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, round 14 of the 2025 season and the last race before the summer break. Championship leader Oscar Piastri won the Belgian Grand Prix last time out, with an early overtake on McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris sealing his sixth victory of the season. The Australian now has a 16-point lead over the Briton. Charles Leclerc secured a podium finish for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from a pit-lane start to come home seventh. However, the seven-time world champion is still chasing a first podium for the Scuderia. Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the sprint race at the first race under new team principal Laurent Mekies, while Mercedes endured a weekend to forget. Piastri won last year's race in Hungary - his first F1 victory - after a contentious team order decision instructed Norris to give up the lead. F1 driver standings after Hungarian GP 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 284 points 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 275 points 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 185 points 4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 157 points 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 139 points 6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 109 points 7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points 8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 54 points 9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 37 points 10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 27 points 12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 22 points 12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 20 points 13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points 14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 16 points 15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 16 points 16. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 16 points 17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points 18. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 8 points 19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 6 points 20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points 21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points F1 constructor standings after Hungarian GP 1. McLaren - 516 points 2. Ferrari - 248 points 3. Mercedes - 220 points 4. Red Bull - 192 points 5. Williams - 70 points 6. Sauber - 43 points 7. Racing Bulls - 41 points 8. Aston Martin - 36 points 9. Haas - 35 points 10. Alpine - 20 points

Mimi Rhodes makes unusual hole-in-one at Women's Open
Mimi Rhodes makes unusual hole-in-one at Women's Open

The Independent

time7 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Mimi Rhodes makes unusual hole-in-one at Women's Open

England's Mimi Rhodes found an unusual way to score low on a tough day by sinking a remarkable hole-in-one in her final round at the AIG Women's Open. High winds made for difficult conditions at Royal Porthcawl on Sunday but, with a fortuitous ricochet off her playing partner's ball, Rhodes aced the par-three fifth. Rhodes, who began six shots off the overnight lead of nine under held by Miyu Yamashita, had the benefit of following Stephanie Kyriacou off the tee. The Australian went close to a hole-in-one herself with a shot that hit the green and came to rest inches from the cup. Rhodes then played a very similar shot and, luckily for her, Kyriacou's ball was handily placed for it to deflect in off. Kyriacou was still able to hole her short putt for a deserved birdie. Meanwhile, Yamashita birdied the fourth to open up a three-shot lead as nearest challenger Kim A-lim dropped back to seven under following back-to-back bogeys. Rhodes' compatriot Charley Hull then cut the gap to two with consecutive birdies at the fifth and sixth.

Bruno Guimaraes puts hands around Cristian Romero's THROAT as pair clash during friendly
Bruno Guimaraes puts hands around Cristian Romero's THROAT as pair clash during friendly

Daily Mirror

time7 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Bruno Guimaraes puts hands around Cristian Romero's THROAT as pair clash during friendly

Tottenham took on Premier League rivals Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul on Sunday and there were a few dramatic incidents between the two teams including between Cristian Romero and Bruno Guimaraes Bruno Guimaraes and Cristian Romero clashed in Seoul with the Newcastle man putting his hands around the Tottenham star's throat. The two Premier League rivals clashed in Seoul on Sunday as part of their pre-season preparations. ‌ And it was a dramatic affair between the two sides, with the game finishing in a 1-1 draw - the goals coming via Brennan Johnson and Harvey Barnes. And there was even more drama before half-time between Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes and Argentine defender Romero. ‌ The Newcastle man had managed to evade a wild challenge from the defender just outside of the penalty area. The Brazilian was then shoved to the floor by Romero when trying to make space. ‌ Guimaraes reacted angrily to that push as he jumped up and put his hands around Romero's neck. The Brazilian was probably fortunate to escape further punishment but given the pre-season nature of the game, that might explain why. The flashpoint between the pair was not the only incident during the game. The match potentially represents Son Heung-min 's final game for the North London side. He was withdrawn just after the hour mark to great acclaim from supporters within the stadium. Meanwhile, midfielder James Maddison appeared to pick up what was a serious injury and had to be stretchered off of the pitch in the closing stages. Speaking after the game, Spurs boss Thomas Frank said: 'I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today. It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players. 'First we had the walkaround and then the team-mates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same. ‌ "I just said a few things but not much because it's about Sonny and then he said a few things. It was beautiful." Spurs now have just under two weeks left to go until their first Premier League match of the season against newly-promoted Burnley. Before that, they take on Bayern Munich in their final pre-season game. Spurs also take on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. Elsewhere, Newcastle take on Aston Villa in their Premier League opener.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store