Tottenham Hotspur

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:

8) Tottenham Hotspur

Last season: 17th

A seismic summer at Spurs as Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League - their first trophy in 17 years - and replaced by Brentford's Thomas Frank.

It also featured the departure of one of the club's modern-day greats as Son Heung-Min joined Los Angeles FC - so there is very much a sense of (another) fresh start at Spurs.

Frank is a big, charismatic personality who will relish the task after doing a magnificent job at Brentford, though there will also be greater scrutiny on his work, and not just from hard-to-please chairman Daniel Levy.

Still, expect this to be a season of improvement in the Premier League. It could not get worse than last season - or Spurs would find themselves in the Championship - and they should again be contenders for a cup.

The collapsed move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was a setback, while the long-term injury to James Maddison hits hard, but Joao Palhinha - signed on loan from Bayern Munich - proved his Premier League quality at Fulham and Mohammed Kudus could provide a new 'X-factor' in attack.

Spurs will not stop there, either, with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze in their sights, along with Manchester City winger Savinho.

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We asked for your views on Tottenham's Super Cup defeat to Paris St-Germain on penalties, after a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: Just when you thought the Spursy tag was behind us. Tactically ,Thomas Frank got this spot on, but seeing out games is something we must improve. There are lots of positives though. It may not be pretty all the time but I prefer it to the kamikaze style of the last two seasons. If we can just get a couple of more new faces through the door, there is reason to be optimistic for the season ahead.

Ben: Nothing to worry about - it's a glorified friendly. We ran out of legs against the best team in Europe. But still a huge improvement on last season. Onward!

John: I have waited a long time to see a Spurs team show this type of gutsy defensive performance with control for the most part. We drew the match against probably the best collection of skilled players on the planet. Exhausted after a pre-season of travel, we certainly have nothing to fear from the season ahead. Our fans will have to realise that we will not be playing classy football all the time, but give me a squad of professional players fighting for the cause anytime.

Neil: Encouraged by the solid performance, team balance and Frank's engagement throughout. The performance was more important than the result. Shows promise for the season. If only the game was 10 minutes shorter!

Jim: The difference between the squads was the subtitutes. Spurs brought on Dominic Solanke, who was injured in pre-season to get some minutes, and two youngsters in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. PSG brought on two goalscorers. More investment needed at Spurs. Being better for 75-80 minutes doesn't win matches.

Daniel: I guess we'll always be 'Spursy'.

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Tottenham "will feel a lot of positives" around how they performed against Paris St-Germain despite it ending in penalty heartbreak, says former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon.

"Their whole structure looked better," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There was so much discipline and you need that in the Premier League.

"There were too many times last season where the team were too open and they got exposed, but under Thomas Frank I think we are going to see a much more organised Tottenham side.

"Once the dust has settled from the defeat, they will feel a lot of positives."

Ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: "They were able to adapt and change throughout the game, but just couldn't hold on.

"You can see that Frank is tactically aware of how to try to beat a team who are inferior because the structure and set-plays were there against PSG.

"You could see the players had an understanding and there was an enjoyment around being without the ball. They were quite comfortable to retreat into a defensive shape but then knew what the trigger was to break out of that and press again.

"That is something we've not seen before from Spurs."

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The Super Cup was on its way to north London with just over five minutes left on the clock against European champions Paris St-Germain.

But the Parisians were not done yet, and a stirring comeback resulted in a shootout defeat for Thomas Frank's Tottenham.

Many newspaper back pages have cited it as 'Spursy' for squandering a two-goal lead, while Micky van de Ven also features after scoring in the game and then missing from the spot.

As disappointing - or frustrating - as it may be, focus now shifts to opponents Burnley as the Premier League returns this weekend.

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Former Tottenham and England teammates Paul Robinson and Aaron Lennon were on punditry duty for BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadio Friuli to watch Spurs give away to a 2-2 lead and eventually lose on penalties against Paris St-Germain.

"Devastation," said Robinson." Absolute devastation and shock all around us for those in white shirts up in the stands who are quickly making their way to the exits.

"Five minutes away from winning their second major trophy in 17 years. They did everything right until they conceded the first goal that made it 2-1 and then they crumbled.

"I think this will be damaging for Tottenham, I really do. They were 2-0 up with five minutes to go. They are absolutely devastated.

"They got the trophy that they had been longing for last season and this could have been a real step forward for Tottenham. Instead it's a real blow.

"In the next 24-48 hours, Thomas Frank has to go back to the training ground, unpack it, show the players video of everything they did well and put the belief back into them.

"At the moment they are so low that they could crawl under a snake's belly with a top hat on. Frank needs to pick them up and get them back to what they did for 75-80 minutes in this game.

"PSG weren't their usual selves. They have been clunky at times, clumsy at times. Tottenham have been the better team but you never rule out a team of this quality."

Lennon added: "You can see that the Tottenham players are hurting. As a player you know games which you should win and this was one of them.

"Five minutes to go, 2-0 up, see it out. Even when it goes to 2-1, you've got to know how to see a game out.

"Spurs didn't handle that well enough."

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Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, speaking to TNT Sports after defeat to Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup: "I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at this moment in time. We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal, then of course the momentum shifted a little bit.

"The team, the players, the club, the fans, there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of the coin when you go to a penalty shootout.

"We showed that we can be adaptable and pragmatic, and we needed to be against a team like PSG. The way we wanted to defend, high pressure and low defending, was top, almost perfect, and also the set pieces were very good and dangerous."

On set- pieces: "It is key. For any team it should be a weapon in my opinion. We will definitely be focusing on it because I think it is a key area. At times I think we showed that we can play up against any team in the world. That is a positive I will take away from this."

On further transfer business: "We'd like to strengthen the squad. No doubt about that. We do work very hard to see if we can do that. In general I am very happy with the squad but in any transfer window we try to see if we can make the squad stronger before the window closes."

On facing Burnley in their Premier League opener on Saturday: "It is a short turnaround, there will be disappointment in the next 24 hours and when I wake up tomorrow, but tomorrow afternoon we will be ready, and Friday we will be more ready. And we will make sure we come flying out on Saturday."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Before the match, Paris St-Germain captain Marquinhos walked on to the pitch holding the Champions League trophy, while Tottenham's Cristian Romero held the Europa League trophy.

But by the end of the night in Italy, Marquinhos was lifting the Super Cup aloft as PSG won this competition for the first time in their history.

However, Spurs will be left wondering how they missed out on what would have been their fifth piece of European silverware.

Goals either side of half-time, from Micky van de Ven and newly-installed club captain Romero, had Spurs 2-0 ahead after 84 minutes and seemingly in control.

Thomas Frank was seconds away from winning a trophy in his first competitive game at the club, only for heartbreak to follow as PSG substitute Goncalo Ramos headed in a 94th-minute equaliser.

PSG were 2-0 behind in the shootout as well, only for Van de Ven and Mathys Tel to fail from 12 yards as Tottenham missed out on winning a second European competition in three months.

As Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal all found out last season, there is no shame in losing to a superb PSG side, but, despite all the positives for Tottenham, this will be a painful defeat.

They have to get over it quickly as their Premier League season starts in three days' time, when they welcome Burnley to North London on Saturday.

Tottenham were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Paris St-Germain after a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Uefa Super Cup in Udine.

Defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had given Spurs a 2-0 lead in Thomas Frank's first competitive match in charge before late PSG goals from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos forced penalties.

Van de Ven and Mathys Tel then missed from the spot to allow Luis Enrique's side to win their sixth trophy of 2025,

What did you learn from the performance against the European champions?

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Paris St-Germain XI: Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Doue; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Mohammed Kudus, who joined Tottenham from West Ham for £55m in the summer, starts, as does Joao Palhinha after joining Spurs on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich.

Brennan Johnson scored the winner in the Europa League final and he is among the substitutes, alongside striker Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kudus, Sarr; Richarlison.

Have you got a question about Tottenham or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted a Spurs theme or trend that needs further investigation?

Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.

Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.

No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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The very first meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham feels like a potential mismatch on paper.

The Parisian giants' maiden Champions League win last season secured a historic treble after they also won the Ligue 1 title for the fourth year running, along with the Coupe de France.

As for Spurs, the Europa League may have been a first trophy in 17 years but it came against the backdrop of their lowest league finish since 1977.

After finishing 17th in the Premier League on 38 points, Spurs were the lowest ranked team to ever win the Europa League or Uefa Cup in either iteration – and by default the lowest to reach the Champions League.

They also became the first Premier League side to lose 22 matches in a 38-game season and not be relegated.

New boss Thomas Frank's only managerial trophy came in Brentford's Championship play-off final success four years ago.

The 51-year-old will go up against PSG manager Luis Enrique, who has won 26 as player and coach.

Tottenham may be encouraged by PSG's 3-0 Club World Cup final defeat by Chelsea but the absence of key players will only underline their underdog status.

Injuries mean that Spurs are missing James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Manor Solomon and Kota Takai, while PSG expect to have a fully-fit squad available.

The overwhelming favourites have also been boosted by the announcement of the £57m signing of Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi.

The omens are ominous for Frank's men.

Did you know?

While no Premier League side has lost more games so far in 2025 than Tottenham's 16, their past four competitive victories have all come in European competition - against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bodo/Glimt (twice) and Manchester United.

Spurs are also the eighth different English side to feature in the Super Cup, with six of the previous seven winning on their first appearance in the final - just north London rivals Arsenal failing to do so, losing 2-0 on aggregate to AC Milan in 1995.

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European football expert Julien Laurens says Tottenham should use Chelsea's Club World Cup final win over Paris St-Germain as the "template" to beat the French Champions in the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday evening.

The Blues produced a fine display to stun the Champions League winners 3-0 in New York in July and Thomas Frank will hope to make a similar statement in his first game as Spurs boss.

"They have just started training a week ago compared to Spurs six weeks ago so physically I don't think they will be at their best at all tonight," Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"PSG have Joao Neves suspended but apart from that it is the same team, mindset and style of football from last season.

"It will be very similar but Chelsea showed in that Club World Cup final that if you are aggressive, there is a recipe to really trouble this big machine that we have seen being so good since January.

"PSG expect Spurs to be more solid defensively and less attacking than they were under Ange Postecoglou. They have studied a lot of the pre-season matches but I don't know how much really you can read into that.

"They expect something similar to what Chelsea did to them in that Club World Cup final and Spurs should really look at that as a template and recipe.

"They need to go at PSG, be aggressive in midfield, have very quick transitions forward, and get in behind [Achraf] Hakimi and [Nuno] Mendes who are quite attacking and not give any space when PSG have the ball.

"Chelsea were perfect on that night and I would expect Spurs to try and do the same. They do not have the same quality in their squad but there is something there to show Spurs what they have to do if they want to win tonight."

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We asked for your thoughts on Cristian Romero being named Tottenham captain - and you were divided in your responses.

Here is a snapshot:

Tony: Brilliant choice, World Cup winner. It will give him responsibility, which in turn will improve his hot-headedness.

Paul: Absolutely spot on! Romero is our most inspirational player (when he's on form). He was also one of the vice-captains last season, so it would have been a bit rude if he'd been overlooked for captain this season.

Peter: Romero is a good captain, but not as notable as Son, Kane and others. He is very aggressive and daring on the pitch, but sometimes I think his disciplinary record is not too good. Players like Vicario and Maddison could maybe be good choices, but I think he is a good captain to lead us out. The comments about our pre-season were not particularly positive, so interesting times are ahead.

Mark: Romero has no self-control and is a loose cannon. I would have given it to Pedro Porro, who has passion but can be a calming influence when required.

Ken: Loses his cool regularly and seemingly was agitating for a move before being priced out. However, there aren't any obvious alternatives, so perhaps he's the only choice.

Paul B: No! Romero is not the right choice for captain. I'm not actually sure who among the current squad is a suitable captain. Romero cannot be trusted to keep his cool and stay on the pitch. This is a sorry state of affairs for the club to be in one week before the start of the season. Sign Marc Guehi and make him captain now, please!

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Former Tottenham and Fulham defender Stephen Kelly says Thomas Frank had to "lay down the law" to Yves Bissouma after the midfielder's persistent lateness.

Frank has left Bissouma out of the squad to face Paris St-Germain in the Super Cup on Wednesday, saying "there has to be consequences".

"I do like it," Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "You have to be respectful to the time the manager sets and be committed to being there.

"One or two times, you can be late because of things outside of your control but if its a consistent thing then the manager has to lay down the law. He's just come through the door so he has to set that tone early on.

"I really like it. You like to think that will set a change. Luis Enrique did something similar with Ousmane Dembele and he went on to be one of the best players in the world. You're looking for a reaction now from Bissouma to show he wants to be part of things."

Wednesday's Super Cup is the first chance to see Frank's Spurs in competitive action and Kelly believes they will set up very differently to how they did under Ange Postecoglou.

"It's to see how Frank goes about it," he added. "It's going to be very different to how Ange played because the gung-ho, all-out-attack didn't seem to work for Spurs for a long time in the Premier League.

"I think Frank is going to be more pragmatic. He's slightly more organised. From what I hear, he takes every training session himself and is on the grass with the players.

"It's going to be really interesting to see how he lines up but PSG are probably the toughest opponents they could face."

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Cristian Romero was "very honoured" to be asked to be the new Tottenham captain, says boss Thomas Frank.

The 27-year-old, who had previously been a vice captain, officially takes the armband following the departure of Heung-min Son.

Romero joined Spurs from Atalanta in 2021 and has made 124 appearances across all competitions, including 100 in the Premier League, and will lead the side out in his new role when they face Paris St-Germain in the Super Cup on Wednesday night.

One of the most experienced members of the squad, the defender is also a World Cup winner having secured the trophy with Argentina in 2022.

"I had a good conversation with Cuti Romero, and he's going to be our captain," Frank told club media, external.

"He was very honoured and very happy about it. It's a big thing to lead this wonderful club out on the pitch, not just for this Super Cup, but also throughout the season.

"I think he has all the right qualities. He leads from his behaviour on the pitch, driving the team forward in every way, and outside the pitch he's always pushing the team.

"I want a leadership group as well. Of course, one will wear the armband and be the captain, but I would like to have as many leaders as possible, four to five in the leadership group who can help. It's the same with me - I can't do everything on my own and need a superb coaching staff around me.

"I will name that leadership group after the window to give me time to assess everything."

How do you feel about Romero being named club captain?

Right choice?

Or should someone else have been given the armband?

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