Tottenham Hotspur fans will be looking to the future with a sense of optimism, with the North London club starting the 2025-26 season well under new manager Thomas Frank.
Spurs are in third place in the Premier League table after seven games, with some positive results both domestically and in the Champions League this season.
Tottenham signed Xavi Simons and a host of other new players in the summer and now have a squad with strength in depth to compete on multiple fronts.
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However, one ever-present in Frank’s Tottenham team this season is under-performing and the North London club should look to alternatives after the international break.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesRodrigo Bentancur a shadow of his former self
Rodrigo Bentancur is an experienced midfielder and a leader in the Tottenham dressing room, but the Uruguay international has not had a good start to the new season.
The former Juventus man was a revelation after signing for Spurs in January 2022, but has since suffered serious injuries.
While Bentancur has remained fit this season so far, Tottenham’s midfield lacks mobility when he plays as he looks to have lost a yard of pace since serious knee and ankle injuries.
With other midfielders waiting for a prolonged opportunity in the Spurs starting XI, it is time for Frank to use Bentancur as an impact sub to close out games from the bench.
Better options for Frank to choose
While Joao Palhinha has made the holding midfield position his own at Tottenham and Simons appears to be the creator of choice, Frank has a decision to make over his third midfielder.
Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
The new Tottenham manager clearly rates both Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr, with both of these young players offering the side more than Bentancur currently.
Archie Gray could be a key Tottenham player and also deserves a chance to prove himself in midfield.
With plenty of games on the horizon, Frank needs to change the make-up of his midfield and dropping Bentancur would make his Spurs side more dynamic and mobile.