A revitalised Tottenham Hotspur under former Brentford manager Thomas Frank will break into the Premier League‘s top five next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart has predicted.
Speaking to Mark Clattenburg on the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, Smart claimed that the ‘charisma and personality’ of Frank, coupled with some shrewd summer transfer business, could see Spurs rebound back amongst the league’s elite sides.
Under Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham endured a disastrous league campaign last term, finishing just above the relegation zone in seventeenth.
The club have now turned to Danish manager Frank, who has built a solid reputation at Brentford for developing difficult to beat teams on a limited budget.
Adding to a sense of renewed optimism, Tottenham have been active in the summer transfer window, spending a club record £120 million on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Croatian defensive prodigy Luka Vuskovic.
‘I have a funny feeling about Tottenham this year’, Smart told the podcast.
A revitalised Tottenham Hotspur under former Brentford manager Thomas Frank will break into the Premier League ‘s top five next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart has predicted
Under Australian manager Ange Postecoglou , Tottenham endured a disastrous league campaign last term, finishing just above the relegation zone in seventeenth
Gordon Smart: ‘Son was injured a lot of last season. His game is reliant on being so fit and quick. That’s apparently back and he’s one of the best strikers in the league.’ Listen here
‘I don’t know whether this is controversial, but I believe Tottenham could crack fifth – based purely on the personality and charisma of Thomas Frank.
‘I think Frank will galvanise the fans and they’ve made some good business this summer. If they can crack on, it’s achievable.
‘I felt Ange just threw it away deliberately at Christmas last year. It became all about staying up with a focus on Europe.
‘Bear in mind too, Heung Min Son was injured a lot of last season. His game is reliant on being so fit and quick. That’s apparently back and he’s one of the best strikers in the league.’
Former referee Clattenburg was sceptical of Gordon’s prediction, arguing that while Frank could make Spurs ‘more structured’, going from 17th to fifth in one season is a mountain to climb.
‘Tottenham have never recovered from losing Harry Kane’s goals, Son isn’t the same type of player.
‘Whilst I get the new manager bounce and Frank’s tactical nous, I can’t see them going from 17th to fifth.’
Special guest and Chelsea influencer Rory Jennings was incredulous, calling Smart’s analysis ‘absolutely wild’.
Jennings said: ‘They have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Son, even if he gets back to full fitness, will probably never be the same player again.
Tottenham have spent a club record £120 million on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Croatian defensive prodigy Luka Vuskovic
Rory Jennings: ‘If Thomas Frank takes Tottenham to fifth, he will be named manager of the year.’ Listen here
‘Seriously, if Thomas Frank takes Tottenham to fifth, he will be named manager of the year.’
Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White had a deal agreed with Tottenham before their owner, Evangelos Marinkas threatened legal action to block the move.
Gibbs-White now seems firmly off the table, signing a bumper new deal with Forest to keep him at the club for the next season.
Smart then doubled down on his bold prediction, believing Tottenham’s rivals like Newcastle and Aston Villa will suffer drops in form.
Both Newcastle and Villa have had difficult transfer windows, with their spending hamstrung by FFP (Financial Fair Play).
‘Look at the teams around Tottenham for that seventh, eight spot. I think Spurs will surprise people – just wait and see.’
To catch the full Premier League predictions episode, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.