Thomas Frank says Tottenham still need time as Spurs face Monaco in UEFA Champions League - 'Last year we played with a different front four'
Published 22/10/2025 at 09:07 GMT+1
Tottenham face Monaco in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, a game that will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Spurs head coach Thomas Frank, who saw his team beaten by Aston Villa on Sunday, believes the game will provide a tough test. Frank says Tottenham still need time to be at their best offensively, saying: "Last year we played with a completely different front four."
Frank looking to 'add layers' to improve Spurs but accepts it will 'take time'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank admitted it will take time for his team to improve up front as they are playing with a "completely different front four" to last season.
Spurs fell to a disappointing 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday and will look to bounce back in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League meeting with Monaco, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Frank spoke to TNT Sports ahead of the game, and said: "I think defensively we are quite good. We definitely need to add a bit more offensively.
"That will come with relationships. Last year we played with a completely different front four. That is quite unusual to happen in any club. So I think it takes a little bit of time to get up to full flow.
"We would like to be competitive in all competitions, but I don't think we have been able to do that since the last time we were in the Champions League final.
"So that's a big task and what we are focusing on is the classic one game at a time, constantly trying to improve the team, adding these layers."
- 'He already has a big impact' - Frankfurt boss hails former player Ekitike ahead of Liverpool clash
- Man Utd target Sporting midfielder, Spurs monitoring Porto star - Euro Transfer News
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/30/image-982f68e2-5206-4db1-a79a-f9716eb0080e-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Spurs fight back to earn dramatic draw at Bodo/Glimt
Video credit: TNT Sports
Spurs were decimated by injuries last season under Ange Postecoglou. Dominic Solanke was the preferred No. 9, with Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski getting the nod behind - when fit.
This year, Richarlison and Mathys Tel have led the line, while new recruits Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus have featured heavily.
Frank saw his team beat Villarreal in their Champions League opener last month, and then draw 2-2 at Bodo/Glimt.
Now comes their third game of the league phase in Monaco, and the Spurs boss believes his team are in for a tough night.
"[Monaco] is a very good team with very good players," Frank said.
"I think they've proved that even in this campaign, playing a 2-2 here against Man City. Last year they beat Villa, they beat Barcelona here, they've been very competitive.
"Their front players are very strong. We definitely need to perform top if we want to get a result and a win here."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/21/image-460693b1-60a1-44ab-acd0-ccb1f7c4c06b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Kevin Danso, in action against Aston Villa on Sunday, has been praised by his head coach Thomas Frank
Image credit: Getty Images
Frank was also asked about defender Kevin Danso, who came into Tottenham's starting line-up against Villa after captain Cristian Romero suffered an injury in training.
"I think he was really good, we gave almost nothing away and he was part of that very strong defence," Frank said.
"I've been impressed with Kevin. He stepped in and played in Bodo. He had a good game. I think he was a very solid performer out there."
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?