The Thomas Frank era officially began this week as the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach oversaw his first pre-season session at Hotspur Way. With a fresh tactical vision and major squad decisions looming, the opening day was a crucial moment for players to stake their claim — whether they are returning from loans, hoping for a breakthrough, or looking to rediscover their best form.
Here’s an in-depth breakdown of every player seen back at training and the latest developments on key transfer sagas involving Mohammed Kudus, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, and Heung-min Son.
🔙 Players Who Returned to Hotspur Way – What Their Return Means
🧤 Goalkeepers
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Guglielmo Vicario
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Antonin Kinsky
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Brandon Austin
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Josh Keeley
🛡️ Defenders
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Djed Spence
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Radu Drăgușin
🧠 Midfielders
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Dejan Kulusevski
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Jamie Donley
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Lucas Bergvall
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George Abbott
⚡ Attackers
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Dominic Solanke
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Dane Scarlett
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Will Lankshear
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Alejo Véliz
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Bryan Gil
- Yang Min-Hyeok
🔥 Transfer Watch
🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus – Spurs Bid Rejected as Chelsea Plot Hijack
Tottenham’s pursuit of Mohammed Kudus is starting to look increasingly complicated. According to Jacob Steinberg, Spurs submitted an offer of £50m plus £5m in add-ons, structured over five years — a proposal that has already been rejected by West Ham, who value the Ghanaian star at around £60m upfront.
Now, in a significant twist, Simon Phillips reports that Chelsea are preparing to hijack the deal, having already been in contact with West Ham. The Blues are aware of Spurs’ rejected bid and are expected to offer a more attractive package in the coming days — a move that could put Spurs’ plans in jeopardy.
Kudus, who scored 14 goals and registered 6 assists across all competitions last season, is believed to be open to joining a Champions League club and staying in London — criteria that both Spurs and Chelsea can meet. However, Tottenham’s reluctance to enter a bidding war is well known, and George Bannister notes that the club currently feels others are ahead in the queue.
David Ornstein has reiterated that Kudus is just one of several targets being considered, and the situation remains fluid. Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn into the speculation, saying only:
“He’s a West Ham player so I can’t say much… but I’ve known him since Ajax.”
With West Ham confident of stronger bids emerging, and Chelsea now officially in the picture, Tottenham must decide whether to go all-in or walk away from their top attacking target.
🇧🇷 Richarlison – Fighting for His Future
Per Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Richarlison is not pushing to leave Tottenham. Instead, the Brazilian forward wants to use pre-season to prove himself to Frank and secure regular minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Richarlison, who scored 5 goals in all competitions last season, is aware of interest from clubs like Galatasaray, but remains committed to Spurs for now. Whether Frank sees him as a starter alongside Solanke or as an impact sub will become clear over the coming weeks.
🇲🇱 Yves Bissouma – Juventus Monitoring Midfield Man
Gazetta Italia claim that Juventus are evaluating a move for Yves Bissouma, who had a turbulent campaign marred by injuries and inconsistency.
Spurs would consider a sale for around £13–17 million, and with midfield reinforcements likely arriving, Bissouma could find himself surplus to requirements. Frank will use pre-season to decide whether the Mali international fits into his plans or if a move to Turin suits all parties.
🇰🇷 Son Heung-Min – Loyal, but Listening
Speculation around Tottenham captain Heung-min Son’s future lingers. Tom Barclay reports that Son is open to a move this summer, but a switch to MLS side LAFC is off the table for now.
With one year left on his contract, Son’s future could hinge on Spurs’ summer business and whether Frank sees him as central to the project or part of a transition. For now, he remains fully committed — but don’t rule out a surprise development later in the window.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The first day of pre-season under Thomas Frank gave fans plenty to think about — not just for the new tactical direction, but also the fate of key players. With a mix of youth, returning talent, and summer signings back in the building, Spurs are entering an exciting but uncertain period.
Kudus, Bissouma, Richarlison, and even Son could define the tone of the transfer window. But the immediate focus is on the pitch, where Frank begins shaping the squad that will carry Spurs into a bold new era.
