How Thomas Frank must react after Dominic Solanke blow emerges at Tottenham
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(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Mon 15 September 2025 16:38, UK
Thomas Frank has several options to choose from as he ponders who to lead the line in Tottenham’s Champions League clash against Villarreal.
Thanks to Tottenham’s smash-and-grab Europa League final victory over Man United in May, the North London side is returning to Europe’s most esteemed club competition this season.
Spurs have made a strong start to the season, claiming wins over Man City, Burnley, and most recently West Ham, even if there was a slight blip when they lost 1-0 to Bournemouth.
And they have done so without Dominic Solanke, who suffered an ankle injury in the win over Pep Guardiola’s side.
The former Chelsea striker missed much of pre-season and was unavailable for selection for Tottenham’s two most recent games, and that will remain the case against Villarreal, according to The Standard, as the 28-year-old did not train the day before the match against the Spanish side.
Without Solanke, Frank now must make the key decision of who will lead the line for Spurs as they prepare for their first Champions League tie since the 2022-23 season.
Richarlison enjoyed a strong start to the season.
(Credit Imago)
In Solanke’s absence, both Richarlison and Mathys Tel have been afforded the opportunity to stake a claim to the number nine position as their own.
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The Brazilian began the opening day 3-0 win over Burnley scoring twice, including an astonishing acrobatic effort.
But in the ensuing games, Richarlison’s impact has dipped significantly and as a consequence, Mathys Tel was thrust into a starting role for Tottenham’s win over West Ham on Saturday, 13 September.
Credit: Imago
Whilst his teammates ran riot, the summer signing from Bayern Munich was stifled and had little impact before being replaced in the 79th minute.
With two strikers struggling to find their feet and keen to get the Champions League campaign underway with a win, Frank may be inclined to turn to a forward with plenty of experience and even a winner’s medal in the fabled competition.
Randal Kolo Muani was signed by Tottenham on loan from PSG on deadline day after a return to Juventus fell through after spending the latter half of the 2024-25 season with the Italian giants.
The 26-year-old struggled during his time in Paris, although he did pick up a Champions League winner’s medal for his contributions during the first half of the season before a January switch to Turin.
The French striker is yet to make an appearance for Spurs since moving to North London and was on the bench for the win over West Ham.
Credit: Getty Images
But with Solanke unavailable, Richarlison and Tel misfiring and few other alternatives, Kolo Muani may well find himself thrust into the starting line-up two weeks after joining Frank’s side.
The ex-PSG forward scored eight goals in 16 appearances in the Serie A last term, and that potency in front of goal may be exactly what is required to give Tottenham the winning start to their Champions League campaign.