Tottenham’s 5 key men to beat PSG – Palhinha, Porro and more
Tottenham take on PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final as Thomas Frank turns to five key players to propel the side to victory.
The Lilywhites take on the Champions League winners in a final in Italy to decide who really is the best team in Europe.
Ahead of the match, Frank has been looking to strengthen his side as Tottenham target Man City’s Savinho to increase their attacking threat going forward.
Questions remain over who will pin down the vacant number 10 role after the Lilywhites missed out on Jack Grealish who joined Everton on a season-long loan.
Turning their attention to the massive tie against PSG, Football Insider delves into the five vital players the Dane will turn to in hope of victory.
Key players for Tottenham v PSG
Giuglielmo Vicario – must make sure his emotions don’t get the better of him
Italy international Guglielmo Vicario is bracing himself for a tough test in goal against arguably the best attack in the world, but the occasion is set to be marvellous.
The shot stopper heads back to his birthplace of Udine, about to take to the pitch of his boyhood club Udinese.
Speaking to the media before the match, the 28-year-old said that it will be “an emotional day, but once it’s kicked off those emotions need to stay apart.” (football.london).
Facing the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, the number one will need to be on top form to keep out the French outfit as shots will be flying at him from left, right and centre.
Joao Palhinha – the disruptor tasked with stamping out any sign of a PSG attack
The holding midfielder role for the Lilywhites has been a problem position which could be solved with the arrival of the Portuguese.
Under Marco Silva at Fulham, the 30-year-old was one of the best tacklers in the Premier League, cutting out passes and preventing counter-attacks with ease.
Against his parent club Bayern Munich in a recent friendly, the number 16 struggled to get involved in the game, frequently being overrun by the sheer pace of the German side.
He will face a similar threat from the Parisians and has to improve to provide Rodrigo Bentancur with much-needed assistance.
Frank will be relying on the former Sporting CP man’s defensive intelligence and reading off the game to stop Luis Enrique’s side on quick transitions.
Cristian Romero – new captain, new responsibilities
Announced today (13 August) as the new Spurs skipper, the Argentinian will be the source of leadership and confidence against a ridiculously good PSG attacking outfit.
The 27-year-old had his doubters to be tipped as one of the captaincy candidates in the wake of Son Heung-Min’s departure, yet the club have backed the World Cup winner.
Discipline, composure and communication are vital for the centre-back to inspire his team to victory in a match where Tottenham are the underdogs.
Any signs of rashness or hot-headedness will instantly make Frank question his decision to appoint the South American as the club’s leader.
Pedro Porro – the creative wide threat Tottenham are crying out for
After the concerning injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, going forward the Lilywhites are lacking a creative spark.
Step forward Porro who should be one of the main providers of crosses and key passes in the final as the north London side look to the Spaniard as a source of creativity.
| Pedro Porro creative stats 2024-25 all competitions | |
| Appearances | 51 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Key passes | 79 |
| Big chances created | 15 |
The 25-year-old grabbed nine assists last season, courtesy of sensational whipping balls which bamboozle defenders.
I’m expecting to see the ex-Sporting CP man to double up on Nuno Mendes with Mohammed Kudus after the Portuguese full-back fell apart against Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto in the Club World Cup final.
Mohammed Kudus – the speedster to challenge the best left-back in the world
After moving from West Ham earlier this transfer window, the Ghanian started on fire against Reading but since then has fallen away.
The 25-year-old is known for his lightning speed and dynamism and will be called upon to drive at arguably the best left-sided full-back on the planet right now Mendes.
The Portuguese bombs forward as well as tracking back, making him an all-rounded beast, yet Frank would have done his homework on how perplexed the PSG anchor was against Chelsea earlier this summer.
Normally so reliable, the 23-year-old crumbled as both Palmer and Gusto ganged up on him, exposing the Parisians down their left-hand side.
Kudus will be vital to ripping apart the French outfit’s defence and must be bold in carrying the ball far to get his team up the pitch.
The African has been a constant “potential” player but has never found real consistency, a criticism he must set right in, hopefully, a defining display on the European stage.