(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Wed 22 October 2025 18:00, UK

One Spurs star’s career threatens to stagnate if he does not earn the trust of manager Thomas Frank.

Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa dropped Frank’s side out of the top six, as the Dane suffered just his second defeat as manager of the north London club.

Frank has already been handed a blow to bolster his squad in the January transfer window as Spurs may struggle to sign a striker.

Xavi Simons has had a slow start to life at Spurs, which has not helped creativity in the side with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both on the sidelines.

Thomas Frank ‘sacrificing’ Lucas Bergvall

Simons occupying the number 10 position is having a knockout effect on midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who has now been on the bench for the past two Premier League matches.

The Daily Mail‘s Matt Barlow, [22 October], believes Frank is still searching for his perfect midfield trio.

“Frank has restored Simons in the number 10 position for the last two games, sacrificing Bergvall, last season’s player of the year and darling of the fans,” Barlow commented.

“At 19, it seems Bergvall has yet to earn the manager’s trust in a deeper midfield role.

“Spurs also look a better team with Sarr’s mileage in midfield and yet he has not started in the Premier League since Simons made his debut. The right midfield formula eludes Frank, and that is connected as ever to other parts of the team.”

Bergvall and Xavi Simons compared amid Frank issue

Bergvall is still looking to nail down his preferred position at Spurs, and that is currently costing the Sweden international.

The 19-year-old currently has an opportunity to make the number 10 position his own amid Simons’ poor form.

Frank should trust Bergvall as an attacking midfielder, with Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr all battling out for two slots in-front of the back four.