Coming into the 2025/26 campaign, expectations were all over the place for Tottenham Hotspur supporters after the hot and cold season prior under Ange Postecoglou.
The Lilywhites finished 17th in the Premier League but won the Europa League, but it wasn’t enough for the Aussie to keep his job – with such responsibility falling into the hands of Thomas Frank.
He’s been tasked with the responsibility of leading the club back up England’s top-flight, whilst also being competitive in the Champions League after their recent European triumph.
The Dane has already made an immediate impact in North London, losing only three of his first 14 games at the helm and subsequently achieving a 50% win rate to date.
Numerous players have already managed to impress during the current campaign, with one first-team member in particular catching the eye after his summer transfer.
How Kudus compares to other PL wingers in 25/26
In an attempt to hit the ground running as Spurs manager, Frank spent big to land the signature of winger Mohammed Kudus – forking out £55m for his signature from West Ham United.
The Ghanaian international arrived with huge excitement, understandably so given the nature of the fee, but it’s safe to say he’s already delivered the goods in North London.
The 25-year-old has already netted his first goal for the Lilywhites, whilst laying on four assists for his teammates – the joint most of any player in the division.
However, Kudus’ underlying stats are just as impressive, with his figures further highlighting how big of an impact he’s already had during the early days of his time at the club.
He’s completed the most take-ons of any player in Europe’s top-five leagues across 2025/26, with his tally of 30 successful take-ons over three times higher than Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
The Ghanaian also ranks in the 98th percentile for take-ons completed per 90 in the Premier League (3.7) – further showcasing his incredible ability at beating the opposition.
Getting past a defender is one thing, but the former West Ham star has also highlighted his ability to produce the end product at the end of his mazy runs.
Kudus has achieved an average of 7.6 crosses per 90, a tally that ranks him in the top 2% of all attackers in the Premier League, with 1.9 of his efforts finding a teammate in the 18-yard box.
Such a feat has allowed him to register 0.5 assists per 90, which also ranks him in the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight – with his £55m fee now looking like a real bargain.
The Spurs player who’s now becoming world-class
Despite Kudus’ success in the Premier League, numerous other Spurs players have managed to impress under Frank – helping the side currently sit in 3rd place.
Micky Van de Ven has been a huge presence at the back for the Lilywhites, helping the first-team keep a total of four clean sheets in the first nine league outings of 2025/26.
However, he’s also demonstrated his talents at the other end of the pitch, scoring three times in England’s top-flight and sitting as the club’s joint-top scorer.
Such a feat has also been replicated by midfielder Joao Palhinha, with the Portuguese international making an immediate impact in North London after his summer transfer.
The Lilywhites board secured the 30-year-old’s services on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, but it was a deal that didn’t satisfy a portion of the fanbase.
However, a couple of months on, the deal is now looking like a phenomenal piece of business, with the former Fulham star undoubtedly one of the best additions in the Premier League this campaign.
Palhinha, who earns £135k-per-week, has featured in every league game to date, subsequently producing numerous incredible figures – the most impressive of which is his tally of 39 tackles won.
Such a figure is the highest of any player in the division at present, with only one other player managing to register 30 or more successful regains of possession in the Premier League.
As a result, he’s currently averaging 5.1 tackles made per 90, whilst also coming out on top in 8.6 duels per 90 – with both tallies ranking him within the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight.
Games played
9
Goals & assists
3
Pass accuracy
83%
Touches per 90
60.5
Tackles made
5.1
Duels won
8.6
Aerials won
58%
Dribbled past
0.6
However, like Van de Ven, he’s also managed to thrive within forward areas, already scoring twice and registering an assist – with his latest strike securing a late point against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
As previously mentioned, it’s his ball-winning ability that has caught the eye most in North London, leading to one analyst labelling him as the “best in the world” for regaining possession for his side.
His current deal has a £30m option to buy next summer, with Frank and the hierarchy desperately needing to trigger such a clause amid his recent form with Spurs.
A dominant number six has been firmly on the club’s agenda over the last few years, with Palhinha finally providing such a quality – but it’s crucial the club don’t let the loanee slip through their grasp.