Although Tottenham won the Europa League last season under Ange Postecoglou's guidance, Spurs also finished a measly 17th in the Premier League, setting a new franchise worst in the process. In order to get back out of this hole in league play, Tottenham are going to need more than just new manager Thomas Frank's tactical expertise.
Daniel Levy has to invest in the squad and sign the kinds of players capable of challenging starters at clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City next season. One of those potential targets is Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, who was the biggest breakout star in the Premier League last season with 20 goals and 7 assists under Frank's coaching.
However, even Frank isn't expected to be able to do enough to move the meter and push an Mbeumo move to Tottenham. There need to be alternatives to Mbeumo who have enough quality to be the difference-makers in the attack that Tottenham desperately need in 2025/26.
According to a report from Give Me Sport's Danny Rust and Dean Jones, Frank has been pushing Levy to consider Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze as a transfer alternative to Mbeumo if Levy isn't able - or willing - to bring the 25-year-old right winger to N17.
Thomas Frank isn't lacking ambition
Mbeumo will cost hefty wages and a hefty transfer fee from Brentford, and Manchester United are in a strong negotiating position. Eze won't be cheap either due to a 68 million pound release clause, and as Spurs found out last season when they tried to sign center back Marc Guehi, Palace don't like to sell easily.
Plus, with Palace headed for European competition themselves after taking down Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, they have one less reason to want to sell Eze. The 26-year-old has been a prime Tottenham transfer target for weeks and will likely be one of the biggest names on their ledger this summer, but it's also true that Spurs have bigger needs on the wings and at striker since James Maddison is already one of the best No. 10's in the Premier League.
Last season without Michael Olise by his side, Eze's numbers suffered a bit, but he was still one of the top attacking players in the English top flight with 8 goals, 8 assists, and 3.5 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per game for the Eagles.
For Tottenham fans, the bigger story here is that Frank is pushing for top-class, proven Premier League players entering their prime like Mbeumo and Eze - and he's not just looking at his own attacking stars from Brentford. Spurs supporters will appreciate that ambition from their next coach and hope Levy heeds accordingly.