Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has called on England head coach Thomas Tuchel to consider including striker Dominic Solanke in his World Cup preparations. Frank also expressed his determination to hold onto loanee forward Randal Kolo Muani despite interest from other clubs.
Solanke’s Impressive Return from Injury
Dominic Solanke faces a key challenge to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad following his recovery from ankle surgery. The 28-year-old forward has missed much of the season but returned with strong form, netting two goals in three appearances since his first start. This surge has contributed to Tottenham’s recent improvement in results.
Frank emphasized Solanke’s potential, stating, “It’s for Thomas Tuchel and his staff to take that decision in the end but I think that Dom, when he is 100 per cent fit, sharp and performing, should be in the mix. All his qualities are there to be selected.”
Solanke has less than two months to impress Tuchel ahead of March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. He earned three caps under former manager Gareth Southgate and featured in Tuchel’s initial squad last year, though he remained unused. His most recent appearance came in a 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in November 2024.
Fierce Competition Among England Strikers
Tuchel already views Ollie Watkins as the primary backup to captain Harry Kane, but Watkins suffered a hamstring injury during a recent Aston Villa match. Other contenders this season include Ivan Toney, now in Saudi Arabia; Brighton’s Danny Welbeck; Chelsea’s Liam Delap; and Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Tammy Abraham’s recent £11 million transfer back to the Premier League with Aston Villa from Besiktas also signals his ambitions for the World Cup. Frank remains confident in Solanke’s ability to stand out once fully recovered, highlighting his scoring prowess.
“I never set targets, they do that for themselves,” Frank noted. “I just analyse and try to improve the process in terms of training, getting in right areas, video clips, things like that. Most strikers, and I mean the guys who score the most goals, are inside the 18-yard box scoring from small slide passes, crosses and cut-backs and he is very good in those situations.”
Tottenham’s Tactical Shift and Key Players
Tottenham’s performance has elevated with Solanke up front, aligning with Frank’s adoption of a three-center-back formation featuring wing-backs. This setup has unlocked more from players like Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani, who have thrived particularly in European competitions, including recent Champions League outings.
Frank praised Simons’ development, saying, “Xavi has been on a positive trajectory for a while. He is progressing, looking more dangerous but no doubt the pace and the physicality in the Premier League is higher so there’s a bit of adaptation for him and Kolo.”
Commitment to Retaining Kolo Muani
Juventus recently attempted to secure Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, where he is spending the season at Tottenham. The French international had a productive stint at Juventus last term and sought a permanent deal, but fitness problems have hampered his time in London.
Despite a car accident en route to the airport, Kolo Muani scored Tottenham’s opener in their midweek win over Eintracht Frankfurt, marking his third goal for the club. Frank firmly affirmed his desire to keep the player, responding, “Yes, next question.”
He added, “I really hope this goal and the performance can give him some confidence. I always liked his qualities. He gives us a different dimension. That one-v-one ability and pace is frightening. His goal is well taken, being in the right position inside the six-yard box. Also, his ability to go in behind. Sometimes you need rhythm. Hopefully now we are on the right end of things and he can be better.”
