- 1 year ago
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank previews their Premier League match at home to Bournemouth.
Hotspur Way, London, UK
Hotspur Way, London, UK
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00:00How are you?
00:01It was Anthony's fault. He won't be back here.
00:05Blame him, hey. How are you?
00:08At least I can probably go under the bus.
00:11I'm used to it, it's fine.
00:16Yeah, yeah, good, thank you.
00:19Thank you for your patience, guys.
00:20We'll start with the broadcast section with no embargo,
00:22followed by an embargoed section for 10.30pm tonight.
00:24No live tweeting during the broadcast section and use the microphone provided.
00:27Michael.
00:28Hi, Thomas. Team news?
00:33Team news.
00:37What's the team news?
00:38The team news is that we got a new English national team player, right?
00:45In Jetspens, isn't it? Isn't that team news?
00:49Oh, you're now surprised you didn't expect that.
00:52You got me there.
00:54Which I mean actually is, wow, how good is that?
00:57So big credit to Jed.
00:59He truly deserved it.
01:02It's been a tough, not tough, it's been what a journey to have it as, what, 24 years old, 25 this year.
01:13Being called up.
01:14I don't think many, many saw that coming.
01:17He had a good end to last season.
01:20He had a top three season.
01:22He played very well in three games against PSG, City and Burnley.
01:28Really giving a lot to the team, so I'm so happy for him.
01:31Spurs supporters are very, very happy today.
01:34Yeah, why?
01:35Because of Jed.
01:37Yeah.
01:39But also, can you confirm the signing of Xavi Simons?
01:42I can confirm that we're working very hard to get someone over the line.
01:51That I can confirm.
01:53But right now, I'm happy to speak more about Jed and other players that are inside the Tottenham squad.
01:59Okay.
02:00There's obviously nerves because of other deals, but do you think the fans potentially might get good news later today then?
02:08I hope they get good news later today for various reasons, because we are trying to sign players.
02:15And that we will try to do to the end of the Toronto window.
02:20Of course, as I said many times in these press conferences, we are out there in the market.
02:30We will try to see if we can improve the squad, but only if we can improve the squad.
02:34If not, you know, I'm happy with the players. They're working hard.
02:37Can I just get one potential outgoing, Thomas?
02:39Yeah.
02:40If Bissouma was in talks with Galipas right earlier in the week, where is that now?
02:43There were reports of a potential injury issue. Can I get a clarification?
02:48The squad news is also that Bissouma can't make the game tomorrow.
02:57And right now, it's the same Bissouma as Tottenham player.
03:01Finally, have you fallen in love early? Just confirmation.
03:05Fall in love early?
03:06Tottenham?
03:07Yeah, you know, let me put it this way, I'm very happy here.
03:13I knew that before, it's a great club, but you know, get to know players, staff, fans.
03:20So, yeah, I'm very happy.
03:22Hi, Thomas. Just going back to team news.
03:24Destiny Udogi, could he be featuring tomorrow?
03:28Yes, he could. Thank you for that question.
03:32Des will be in the squad tomorrow, so that's very positive for all of us.
03:34Just going back to Shed, you mentioned how up and down of a time he has had here at Spurs.
03:40And now Thomas Tuchel said, look, he ended last season really well, he started this season really well.
03:46I just wanted to get an insight into his mentality.
03:48What have you seen from him from that point of view in terms of being able to really ride those sort of stormy seasons really?
03:56I think it's, I think Jed is a fantastic example for a lot of players, not only here in Tottenham, but also other places that he, everything is possible.
04:11If you are resilient, can get through the tough spells that is in football and life and be very disciplined and keep going, training well, keep believing in your own abilities, keep going.
04:27If he is on a very rainy day, I think that's a big credit to him and a great example.
04:35Those stories I think we should all appreciate and be happy for.
04:41Xiao Palinia has received a lot of praise, and rightly so, since returning back to the Premier League.
04:47I know you can't speak about who the club may reveal later on today as a new signing, but if you are to add an attacking midfield in particular to this squad, how highly would you rate your midfield options for this season?
04:59So, you are talking about Xiao. Let me put it this way, I think we got a very good midfield. I like the five midfielders we have in, or six we have, sorry.
05:13In Archie, Lukas, Bisouma, Xiao, Rotri and Pape. Very happy with them. No doubt we have the creativity in Madison and Kozevski, which is out right now.
05:28So, I think that's very transparent that they are out. So, of course, that's a skill set we need to find either in some other players like Kudusa, Wilson or Mati.
05:39So, I think the midfield is strong. And again, can we sign something that can improve the squad, we will be happy.
05:46Thanks, Thomas.
05:51Hi, Thomas. How are you?
05:52I'm good, thank you.
05:53You told me a month ago when we had the very first press conference with you that one certainty was that you were going to lose games.
06:00You haven't lost any games yet. You've won every single game you've played.
06:04So, does that show that your coaching skills are better than even you thought, or that maybe the squad was better than you thought when you joined?
06:12I think both the squad is fantastic and I'm fantastic. So, I think that's very simple. No.
06:18We have a strong plan to try to win tomorrow again against Bournemouth. I've got a big belief that we are capable of doing it.
06:27We are facing a very good team. And Iola have done a top job in his coaching staff. They just lost, what, four of their back five, including the keeper, for this season.
06:40And just continue producing good performances. I watched their game live against Liverpool. I watched it one more time over the last two days.
06:48They were very good. They could easily have got something out of that game against the champions.
06:54They play a very, how can you say, not only direct, but they play very, you know, through the lines and behind you.
07:07So, it's very difficult to defend and difficult to press them because they go over the top or behind us or can't stay every team.
07:15So, they're a really, really difficult team to play against. They had a fantastic season last year. So, we need to show them huge respect.
07:22And we need to show huge respect in the defensive side of the game. Be very good in that aspect because I'm convinced we will create something.
07:30But if we don't run and don't defend and don't show the respect, we'll have massive problems tomorrow against Bournemouth.
07:35So, if we do that, come out with that energy and the positive feeling we have, then I'm very confident that we can win the game.
07:44But I'm very aware that we're going to a difficult task.
07:48There are some managers in the Premier League, I won't name them, who seem to be absolutely wedded to one system.
07:56I'm only playing this, regardless of what it is. And if they go over a cliff because of it, so be it.
08:01You seem to swap systems, not only for games, but within games. How much is that your philosophy?
08:08And how difficult is that for players? Because it doesn't seem that difficult at the moment.
08:13I think the big thing, I think I'm very clear on the principles we have in terms of how we want to play.
08:22So let's say high pressure, I'm big on the man-man. Let's say defending low, there's some zonal principles in defending the box.
08:29But also how we want to attack, there's also some clear principles there.
08:34But then I think you can tweak it a little bit with the systems.
08:37You can also tweak it in a system with different positions and different players in different positions.
08:44So that I'm very open about and aware. And with the coaching staff backing, we hope we find good solutions.
08:53Finding expectations. If you go into the international break having won three out of three, certain Spurs fans will be very excited.
09:00And especially with the Champions League kicking off. I'm interested in your thoughts on the draw on that as well.
09:06How do you manage expectations with the Premier League and the Champions League, which is going to be starting soon?
09:13That's a good question. Right now I'm 100% focused on doing our best to win tomorrow.
09:22And can we win? It'll be a fantastic start to a new season.
09:25Then a lot of the players, actually all of them, will go away and play for their countries and hopefully make their countries proud.
09:34And their families. I'll take a break and then we're ready to kick on again.
09:41And then, yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to what's happening after that.
09:45Hi there, Thomas. Speaking of international call-ups, Richarlison has been called up to the Brazil squad.
09:50How kind of pleased are you for him, of course, but also how important is it for Brazil to kind of keep the way you guys have been building him up nicely fitness-wise?
09:58I think I'm very happy for Richarlison. I think he's well deserved to start the season very strongly.
10:06Three strong games, three strong performances. Hopefully he can carry it into the game tomorrow.
10:11Of course, play for Brazil is big and I think it's good they play.
10:18The more they play, the fitter they will get and the stronger they will be. So I think that's positive.
10:23Just a couple of injuries. I just want to check on kind of maybe timelines if you can for Basuma being one of them.
10:29And also Radu Dragosin. When are you expecting him to be able to kind of join back in with things?
10:33I think Basuma, one thing for sure, he's out for the next game.
10:38And then the specific timeline I'm a little bit in doubt of because I don't think it'll be that long.
10:42Dragosin is on the way back and he is, he's been running for a while. I think he should join the team in a week time, 10 days time.
10:56I think that's the thing. So that's positive. But of course, it is ACL. I'm always a little bit more, not worried, but just aware that it takes time.
11:06We've been out of football for nine months. You know, you need to get in. It's not enough to have a six week preseason.
11:12You need to take a little bit more time. But it's positive and some surprise and come back quick, of course.
11:18I think this might be the last time I get to speak to you before you name your Champions League squad as well.
11:23In the past, Spurs have had some issues with the European squad and having too many players.
11:27Have you got some kind of decisions on your hands over who might have to be left out if the current numbers stay the same?
11:32As I understand it, we still have a minor challenge there. So that, of course, decision will be made in due time.
11:40Jay, please.
11:42Hi, Thomas. I've just got another one on Jed. How did you find out that he'd been called up? And have you spoken to him directly about it?
11:49Yes, we found out that when it was announced at 12 o'clock. So luckily we started training 12, so someone came out straight after.
12:00He, as I understood, received a text earlier today. So we, of course, I could say congratulated him in front of the players.
12:11There was applause and hocks and everything and spoke to him after and said, well deserved and I hope you will enjoy it.
12:19Let's keep up the good level and keep the focus for the game tomorrow and then go in and enjoy being part of England squad.
12:27And I asked if he was going in to call his family and he was about to do that.
12:31What specific qualities do you want from someone who plays in the central attacking midfield role, whether that's someone new or someone who is already in the squad?
12:40I think it depends a little bit on the game. Yeah, because let's say we play away to city. I think it depends on the game and the other players around.
12:55Because you can have two very offensive minded sitters that are very forward going and then you maybe need more of a runner in a 10.
13:08Then you can have three front players where they are unbelievable runners or one of them is a little bit more creative.
13:15So I think I'm not I'm not looking in one specific position what I want from the 10 position because if what I want for that position, I don't think I don't think he is possible to get him.
13:26Because he would be a running machine, pressing machine, unbelievable creative, can do headers, can put it in top corner, a lot of tap ins.
13:33You know, that would be the perfect players. They're not too many of those players. So I need to be a little bit pragmatic.
13:39And if we have a very, let's say, offensive 10, then maybe need a little bit behind. If we don't have that, then we need a little bit, you know, the construction of the midfield, I would say.
13:50You obviously like players that can play in multiple positions. Does it ever reach a point in that player's career where they need to specialise or stick to one particular role?
13:59You think, I think if you, if you, if you, if you. That's a good question. I think when we see players performing in their, performing their best, most likely play one position.
14:17No one is 10, a right wing or striker or centre back. But these days, we can see centre backs also play to the, as a full back.
14:25Some midfielders play 10, sometimes they play six. So, so I think it is, when they go towards their peak, if that makes sense, that's where they should settle into, to that position.
14:36That's not the same, that they can't play across a front four or front three. Also, the modern football, I think they are much more flexible now.
14:44The front three now need to be playing on the wings, the striker as a 10.
14:50Finish with George, please.
14:51Hi, Thomas. There's a certain player from Amsterdam, we believe, is on the other side of the building and you can almost feel the excitement, you know, in the place.
14:59And yourself, if it was like, how kind of chuffed are you that Spurs are really, really close to signing a brilliant player?
15:07I think that we are close to signing someone, but let's see. As I said, just as a go-to, make it so much easier.
15:17I speak about the players, that's why I'm very happy that I found out to say that in Brentford and kept it consistently.
15:22So, I'll be very boring in that. And unfortunately, just say I want to speak about the players in-house and everyone else outside of our team.
15:31I'll not speak about unless it's Messi and Ronaldo. And the good thing is they're soon retiring both of them. So, that makes it very simple.
15:38And just to go back to last week, I asked when you spoke about how you really wanted the team to push for that third goal, which didn't come.
15:45Obviously, you got a brilliant 2-0 victory. Is that kind of your natural tendency to always want to push for another goal?
15:52Or is that kind of trying to sort of align with the club's philosophy, which has always kind of been that?
15:57I think I would always say I had an offensive mindset as a coach. Always try to push to play more offensive, try to go for the next goal.
16:11I agree, it aligns perfectly with the club's values and the history of the club.
16:18So, I had it since I started as a young coach, the youth national team coach, Brunby.
16:24But when I came to Brentford, I actually got an extra notch. I know it's not a big club.
16:31But the ownership, especially in Matthew and Phil and Rasmus were big on that. Also, all statistics, everything said that if you went for the next goal, it was more likely you get three points instead of you get two defensive.
16:47So, that was just a line. So, because they were so big on it as well, there was a lot of good discussions and thought process behind.
16:54Also, with your subs, what do you do? Do you sub a striker with a midfielder? Or do you sub a striker for a striker?
17:00I think that's offensive, so you go for the goal. Of course, you all know that sometimes you maybe change.
17:06I have no problem changing to a 5-3-2, but you still have two strikers on the pitch.
17:10And I have no problem to play a more offensive of the three, if it's possible. That all depends.
17:15But definitely, we'll go for the goal always.
17:17And obviously, the Champions League draw was last night and I guess a little bit of everything in there.
17:22You know, big teams, some familiar teams for the squad and obviously a Danish club as well. What did you make of it?
17:28Overall, I thought an okay draw. Sometimes we draw, they can look very bad on paper or they can look very good.
17:41But at the end of the day, it's how we perform against these teams and we know the Champions League.
17:45For every team, no matter if it's PSG or Dortmund or a club that is not as big, whatever, Slavia or Copenhagen, it's the biggest game of the biggest games of the season.
17:59So that'll be tough. Of course, I'm happy that there was Copenhagen. I thought that could be good.
18:07I wanted them in parking. That could be even more, probably more difficult if I'm honest, but it'll be difficult no matter what.
18:14And it's nice when you have good colleagues that you're facing them.
18:19Okay.
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