‘Without The Best Players Available’ – Tottenham Boss Thomas Frank Makes Point | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has insisted that he is nothing without his best players, signalling towards being without a number of Spurs stars this season as having had an impact.

Last season, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison were central to Spurs’ success under Ange Postecoglou, combining for 27 goal contributions in the league and adding another ten in the Europa League on the way to Tottenham lifting the trophy.

This season, both stars have been sidelined with knee injuries and have yet to feature under Frank, missing every match since the season kicked off.

Richarlison, the Lilywhites’ leading scorer with eight goals so far, picked up a hamstring injury last week, joining Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been out since the start of the month with the same issue, on the sidelines.

Summer signing Mohammed Kudus, one of the few positives in an otherwise turbulent season, also suffered an injury during the 1-1 draw with Sunderland earlier this month.

The injury woes have been compounded by further fitness concerns, with Ben Davies suffering a season-ending injury in the defeat to West Ham United, Pape Matar Sarr struggling to regain match sharpness after the Africa Cup of Nations and Dominic Solanke only recently returning from the sidelines.

Pressure on Frank has intensified since the turn of the year, with calls for his dismissal growing louder as Spurs remain winless in 2026.

Fans chanted for his head at the weekend, but former Tottenham star Steven Caulker has cautioned that sacking the Dane will not change the cycle of managerial failure in north London.

The 52-year-old is keen to remind critics that he has often been without some of his best players due to injury and stressed even the best managers would be affected.

The Dane stated he is prepared to accept responsibility for the lack of results, provided supporters remain patient and continue to support the players.

Frank said at a press conference: “I think even the best coach in the world, Pep Guardiola, said I am nothing without my players.

“I am nothing without the best players available.

“I think it is fair to say they haven’t been available enough at the same time the whole season, which makes it a little bit more tricky.

“But hey, no problem.

“I’m happy to take the blame as long as everyone supports the players.”

As many as 13 first-team players could be missing when the Lilywhites welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, seeking a potentially vital three Champions League points.

Mathys Tel has been brought out of the squad, Conor Gallagher is cup tied at the moment, while Yves Bissouma and Radu Dragusin are not available as part of the Champions League group.

With Spurs languishing in 14th in the Premier League, having collected just 27 points from 22 games, the club are acutely aware of the need for reinforcements.