Tottenham Hotspur have endured some early success under Thomas Frank after the Dane took the reins during the off-season, only tasting defeat once across all competitions to date.
The 51-year-old had the opportunity to improve and strengthen the front line, subsequently making various additions ahead of his first campaign in charge of the Lilywhites.
Mohammed Kudus was the highest profile addition in such a department, costing a fee in the region of £55m from West Ham United – but a figure that looks to be a bargain given his immediate impact.
The Ghanaian has already registered four assists in his first five Premier League outings, being a part of nearly 50% of the first-team’s league goals in 2025/26.
Randal Kolo Muani was also brought into the club during the summer window, but has been restricted to just 13 minutes of senior action due to injuries and fitness setbacks.
However, the club could’ve been in a much better place had Frank had the opportunity to work with one player who managed to thrive under his guidance at Brentford.
Ivan Toney’s time playing for Frank at Brentford
During his seven years in charge of Brentford, Frank was able to rely on Ivan Toney for a four-year period, with the striker constantly producing the goods in front of goal.
The Englishman netted 72 goals in his 141 appearances for the Bees, averaging nearly a goal every two games – with 36 of his efforts coming in England’s top-flight.
Toney came up against the Lilywhites on five occasions, failing to win any of the encounters, but he did manage to find the back of the net on two separate occasions.
It was also reported that former boss Ange Postecoglou was monitoring the 29-year-old, but they decided to pursue a move for Dominic Solanke instead – with Toney subsequently joining Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Had the hierarchy made a move for the former Brentford star, it could’ve proved to be a blessing in disguise – especially after Frank took the reins in North London in recent months.
However, such a move will remain a case of what could’ve been, but the hierarchy may have also made a mistake in allowing one other talent to depart the club.
The Spurs star who could’ve been Frank’s next Toney
Top-level attacking talents haven’t been alien to Tottenham Hotspur supporters, as seen by Harry Kane’s decade-long spell as a first-team member in North London.
The England international racked up over 400 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring on 280 occasions – subsequently becoming the club’s record goalscorer in their history.
Whilst he didn’t win a single trophy with the club’s first-team, he produced numerous moments of magic, none more so than in the North London Derby against local rivals, Arsenal.
He managed to score on 15 occasions against the Gunners in his 21 appearances, the third-best record against any team in his professional career at present.
However, another attacker who could’ve been Frank’s next talisman is Troy Parrott, with the hierarchy potentially offloading the talisman way too soon, given his recent form away from the club.
The Irishman joined the Lilywhites at the age of 15, spending various years in the youth system, before being sent on countless loan spells away from North London.
He joined the likes of Millwall, Ipswich Town and Preston North End, but it wasn’t enough to catapult himself into the first team plans – subsequently joining Excelsior on loan in 2023/24.
Such a spell would catapult him to stardom, scoring 17 times in his 32 appearances for the Dutch outfit – a spell that saw him permanently depart Spurs for a fee in the region of £7m, with former chairman Daniel Levy sanctioning his departure.
He would join Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on a permanent basis, already making himself a fan favourite in his 12 months in the Netherlands – registering a total of 30 goals in his 54 appearances.
Appearances
30
Starts
28
Minutes
2191
Goals
14
Assists
2
Shot on target accuracy
49%
Goal involvements per match
0.53
Minutes per goal involvement
136
Parrott, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has since become one of Europe’s hottest talents, especially after netting 10 goals in his first seven outings of 2025/26.
Given such a record, Spurs must be regretting their decision to sell the talent, with the Irishman having all the tools to star under Frank had they kept hold of him a couple of years ago.
Parrott could have been the Dane’s next leading talisman, just like Toney was, but he will now remain a case of what could’ve been after his £7m departure last summer.
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