Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache | OneFootball

Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache | OneFootball

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Evening Standard

·20 September 2025

Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache

Article image:Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache

The Spurs boss is happy with ‘three extremely good full-backs’ at his disposal

Article image:Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache

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Thomas Frank hailed Destiny Udogie’s “exceptional” return to the Tottenham side against Brighton.

The full-back came in for his first start of the season at the Amex Stadium and impressed at left-back, offering real threat with his runs forward as he regularly got to the byline.

It was an eventful afternoon at both ends of the pitch, as Spurs came from 2-0 down to earn a point on the south coast, and Frank was left hugely encouraged by Udogie’s display.

However, that performance leaves Frank with a selection headache in the weeks ahead, with Djed Spence having previously started every match this season.

“Exceptional, he was exceptional today,” Frank said when asked for his verdict on Udogie.

“He was unstoppable, almost, going forward. And I think also it was a bit unfortunate, it was Wilson [Odobert] who had to track [Brighton] on the situation, because it was a little bit of a high-pressure situation, the Brighton wonder goal. But he just completely took him out going forward.

“Very good, just top.”

He added: “I've got three extremely good full-backs. I think Djed's been fantastic for us. So when another player is doing so well, then there's no reason to throw Destiny in too early. And I'm pretty sure we need all three throughout the season. That is crucial.

We are playing, hopefully, around 60 games this season. That's a lot. I think Liverpool changed both their full-backs from midweek to today. So it's a big thing. We want fullbacks to come bombarding up and down. So we need everyone. But I'm very happy with Destiny.”

Article image:Tottenham's 'most complete' performance leaves Thomas Frank with selection headache

Udogie was a stand-out performer for Spurs on Saturday

Getty Images

Spurs fell two goals down at the Amex and it threatened to be another painful trip to the stadium, following on from 3-2 and 4-2 defeats on their most recent visits.

But Frank’s side showed impressive resilience to take home a point. Richarlison halved the deficit before half-time and Jan Paul van Hecke turned into his own net from a Mohammed Kudus cross in the final ten minutes.

“The mentality, the physical aspect, I thought was key,” Frank said.

“And coming here, where last year we came here and were 2-0 up, lost 3-2. Now we’re 2-0 down and come back 2-2. I think it's good. And if there should have been a winner in my eyes, and maybe slightly biased, I think it should have been us.

“I think the amount of crosses, the amount of touches in the opponent's box, the amount of chances, was more than enough to win the game.”

Spurs have been beaten only once this season and an impressive start to the campaign has included a deserved win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

They now sit second in the Premier League and it was this result, despite the dropped points, that most impressed Frank.

“I also think the overall performance played in - I think maybe this was our most complete performance so far in the season,” Frank said.

“I know, you can say we conceded two goals, but I think actually there were so many positives overall in the game. The high pressure, the man-to-man, very aggressive, but that resilience in the group, that mentality, is good.”

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