Tottenham boss Frank discusses team changes, Bissouma punishment and Tel abuse ahead of Burnley clash

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Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 15/08/2025

- 09:38

Updated: 15/08/2025

- 10:15

The Spurs manager has been speaking ahead of the first game of the season

Thomas Frank has revealed he may have to make changes to his side ahead of their Premier League opener against Burnley on Saturday.

Tottenham played in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain in Italy on Wednesday and the players have had little chance to recover before heading into the Premier League season.


Frank spoke ahead of his first league game in charge of Spurs on Friday, revealing some changes may need to be made due to the heat.

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He said: "Of course there were physical demands in every area, in particular the heat was high. The players are very professional and they've recovered well.

Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank spoke ahead of the match on Saturday

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"I can freshen up, whether that is from the start or during the game. I'm a big believer that it's the third game more than the second one that's important in that respect."

He also revealed there would be nerves as he walked into the stadium on Saturday: "I will have tomorrow. If I'm honest now I'm in work mode. I know when I wake up tomorrow and when I step into the stadium I will feel it."

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During the Super Cup on Wednesday, Mathys Tel missed a penalty in the shootout, which Spurs ultimately lost.

After the game the former Bayern Munich star was subject to severe racial abuse, something Frank believes "no real Tottenham fan" would do.

He said: "I think it's terrible what happened to Mathys. We're doing everything to support him in this situation. He's a strong person. He will have support from family and friends as well as us. There's no real Tottenham supporter that will do that (abuse). You'll see the real Tottenham supporters at the stadium tomorrow backing him. I expect big cheers for him tomorrow."

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Mathys Tel

Mathys Tel suffered racial abuse after his penalty miss on Wednesday

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Yves Bissouma was not allowed to travel with Tottenham for the Super Cup due to disciplinary action for being late too many times.

But Frank does not want to dwell on the punishment going into the season.

He confirmed Bissouma will be available to play: "Bissouma was a situation. I addressed it, there was a consequence. He will be in the squad tomorrow."

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Richarlison put in a strong performance for Spurs during the Super Cup, but his fitness still remains an issue as the season begins, with Frank wary of overusing the striker.

The Spurs manager had high praise for the 28-year-old: "Yeah, I think Richy was really phenomenal, his hold up play, his intensity, his arriving in the box was top.

"And his attitude, top, top top. Of course we’re aware of his fitness situation, that is why we have monitored him closely – that’s why he didn’t play at Reading in the first game, but he is on it."

Richarlison

Thomas Frank was full of praise for Richarlison after his Super Cup performance

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Going into the season, Frank appeared confident in the press conference as he told the media: "One thing is the mentality of the group. Very strong mentality and we saw that against PSG, the way they worked and their approach to it. Also the ability to take on messages and game plans."

Frank will be hoping that mentality will help them to a better Premier League campaign than last season, where they finished a disastrous 17th.

Tottenham will kick off their season at 3pm on Saturday as they face Burnley.