Better than Archie Gray, ’emphatic’ Tottenham star has secured his future after PSG heroics
Thomas Frank is attempting to find the positives after Tottenham were ripped apart by PSG in the Champions League.
Archie Gray was given a rare start in the centre of midfield, with Joao Palhinha dropped to the bench in a surprise turn of events, but it was not enough change to avoid a 5-3 defeat on Wednesday, 26 November.
Spurs took the lead on two occasions, once through Richarlison and a second via Randal Kolo Muani‘s first goal of the night, having later notched his brace, having one of them described as “emphatic” by Pat Nevin [BBC Sport].
However, thanks to a Vitinha hat-trick and goals from Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho, Luis Enrique‘s side secured all three points with ease, but Frank remained positive after the defeat.
Archie Gray plays a starring role despite Tottenham defeat
Lasting 76 minutes on the pitch, Gray was a shining star for the Lilywhites, being given high ratings by several media outlets, with supporters extremely impressed by his standards.
He even helped set up one of the goals, seeing his only effort saved before Kolo Muani followed it in with his first goal on the night, and it was the Frenchman who starred against his parent club.
Tottenham fans were thoroughly impressed by Kolo Muani at the Parc des Princes, notching his first and second goals since joining on loan during the summer, and he could be seen as a simple striker solution.
Dominic Solanke remains sidelined, and Richarlison continues to be linked with an exit, so it is no surprise to see several links with Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window. He would be rather expensive, though.
Randal Kolo Muani can secure a permanent deal with Spurs
After spending last season on loan at Juventus, before being loaned to the Premier League for the 2025-26 campaign, it is clear that PSG no longer see a future for Kolo Muani at the club.
That could play right into Frank’s hands ahead of the summer transfer window, with the former Brentford man surely pushing to sign a new striker, one that he can depend on.
Kolo Muani should be fighting for a permanent move away from PSG, rather than spending his career on season-long loans, and while it has been a slow start in North London, this could be his launch pad.
Even with an injury to his jaw, the 26-year-old has continued to show the passion and fight that Frank will be looking for from members of his squad. It might only be a matter of time before a permanent deal is discussed.