The Tottenham Hotspur boss has been speaking about two of his attacking players and what they can achieve this season and summer
Dominic Solanke celebrates his goal with Randal Kolo Muani during the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank is confident that Dominic Solanke will fire himself into the England mix and Thomas Tuchel’s thoughts in time for the World Cup and has made it clear that Randal Kolo Muani will stay at Tottenham.
The 28-year-old has returned to action after five months spent struggling with a persistent ankle problem and looks to be back in the groove with goals in back-to-back Champions League games. It was the former Bournemouth striker’s composed finish in Frankfurt in midweek that sent Spurs into the last 16 of the competition.
As Tottenham prepare to take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday with Tuchel no doubt keen to watch the various England internationals on display, Frank believes Solanke, who has three international appearances to his name, should be in his thoughts.
“Of course it’s for Thomas Tuchel and his staff to take that decision in the end. I think that Dom, 100 per cent fit, sharp and performing, should be in the mix,” said the Dane. “I don’t know how many strikers, clear number nines, England want to bring, but he definitely should be in that mix. All his qualities are there to be selected for that.”
Frank maintains he has not set Solanke a goal target for the remainder of the season but believes the forward probably has himself.
“I never do that. I think they do it themselves. I just analyse and try to improve the process every week in terms of training, getting in the right areas, video clips, things like that,” said the Spurs boss. “Most strikers, the guys that score the most goals, are inside the 18-yard box scoring from small slide passes, crosses and cut backs and he is very good in those situations.”
Tottenham’s other goal in the 2-0 win on Wednesday night in Germany was scored by Kolo Muani, who has been linked with a move to Juventus and his loan from PSG to north London ripped up before the window closes. The Frenchman has excelled in the Champions League this season with three goals and two assists in seven matches but is yet to record a single goal involvement in 15 Premier League appearances.
With his injury-ravaged Spurs squad in mind, Frank made it very clear what the future held for the 27-year-old France international when asked if he wanted to keep him.
“Yes. Next question!” said the Dane, who hopes that the clever backheeled goal in Frankfurt against his former employers will kick on Kolo Muani’s time at Tottenham.
“I really hope this goal and the performance can give him some confidence to build from. His qualities and abilities, I always liked them. I think he gives us a different dimension. The first action inside the second minute against Frankfurt, where he is bursting through on the left-hand side… that one-v-one ability and pace is frightening.
“His goal is well taken, being in the right position inside the six-yard box on a ball headed back in the mix. Also his ability to go in behind. Hopefully, we’re getting closer and closer.
“Sometimes you need the rhythm. He came with basically no pre-season, got injured, broke his jawbone and then he got a little bit up to pace, we are not being free-floating, all that. Hopefully now we are on the right end of things and he can be better.”
One man who can create the chances for both Solanke and Kolo Muani to fire home is Xavi Simons and Frank believes the Dutchman is beginning to adapt to life in N17.
“I think Xavi has been on a positive [trajectory] for a while, but there is no doubt that the pace and the physicality in the Premier League is higher than all the other clubs across Europe,” said the Dane. “So, there is a bit of adaptation for him and Kolo, and then again, he has played Champions League two years in a row at Leipzig and in the Bundesliga, it is still something different. I think he is progressing and looking more and more dangerous.”
On whether the new 3-4-3 formation has helped the 22-year-old playmaker, Frank added: “Maybe. There are definitely a lot of our players that look to come in the right positions in this formation. So, it is all about that. How can we get them in their best positions for them to perform in the best possible way.”
Tottenham host City on Sunday in a game that caused problems for Frank’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou two seasons ago when he could not understand why the Spurs fans wanted their own team to lose the encounter to ensure local rivals Arsenal did not win the Premier League title.
Frank does not believe there is likely to be any such conflict of interests for the home supporters this time around.
“First and foremost, I think the fans, for example, the 3,000 that travelled to Frankfurt gave amazing support throughout the game and it was fantastic to be able to go down there at the end and see the happy faces,” he said. “I think the fans at home to Dortmund were amazing.
“When we are together and united as a group, players and fans, magic things can happen. So I think it’s all about that. I understand there’s a long history in the club, so I understand that. That I can’t and will not question, we understand that. My focus and the players’ focus is we do everything we can to beat City.”
Tottenham face a tough run of fixtures now with the City match followed by a trip to Manchester United and then two home games against Newcastle and Arsenal. Frank says he and his players will not be fearful of what lies ahead.
“Of course there’s no fear. There’s never any fear no matter who we play,” he said. “There should be and always is respect for the threats that different opponents have. But we’re going in, playing at home, first and foremost against City on Sunday and we are excited and looking forward to it with big belief that we can get a result.
“Football is a strange thing. Sometimes you can play teams where you can say you should be superior to and for whatever reason you’re struggling and then you’re facing teams that on paper look stronger and it suits you. I believe if we go into every game, we can win it. I believe if we go on Sunday and play against City and win it. That’s the big focus also with the following games.”