WELCOME Xavi Simons | Thomas Frank on Tottenham's new signing

Hi Thomas. Team news? Team news, what's the team news? The team news is that we got a new English national team player, right? In Jetspace, isn't that the team news? You got me there. A good end to last season, he had a top three season, he played very well in three games against PSG, City and Burnley. Really giving a lot to the team, so I'm so happy for him. Spurs supporters are very, very happy today. Yeah, why? Because of Jet. Yeah. But also, can you confirm the signing of Xavi Simons? I can confirm that we're working very hard to get someone over the line. That I can confirm. But right now, I'm happy to speak more about Jet and all the players that are inside the Tottenham squad. Okay, there's obviously nerves because of obviously other deals, but do you think the fans potentially might get good news later today then? I hope they get good news later today for various reasons because we are trying to sign players and that we will try to do to the end of the transfer window. Of course, as I've said many times in these press conferences, we are out there in the market, we'll try to see if we can improve the squad, but only if we can improve the squad. If not, you know, I'm happy with the players, they're working hard. Can I just get one potential outgoing, Thomas? Ipposuma was in talks with Galatasaray earlier in the week. Where is that now? There were reports of a potential injury issue. The, how can I say, the squad news is also that Ipposuma can't make the game tomorrow and right now it's the same, Ipposuma is in Tottenham. Finally, have you fallen in love early? Just confirmation. Fallen in love early. Tottenham? Yeah, you know, let me put it this way, I'm very happy here. I knew that before, it's a great club, but you know, get to know players, staff, fans, so yeah, I'm very happy. Hi Thomas, just going back to team news, Destiny Udoge, could he be featuring tomorrow? Yes, he could. Thank you for that question. Dez will be in the squad tomorrow, so that's a very positive for all of us. Just going back to Shed, you mentioned how up and down of a time he has had here at Spurs and now Thomas Hewgill said, look, he ended last season really well, he started this season really well. I just wanted to get an insight into his mentality. What have you seen from him from that point of view in terms of being able to really ride those sort of stormy sort of seasons really? I think Shed is a fantastic example for a lot of players, not only here in Tottenham, but also other places, that everything is possible if you are resilient, can get through the tough spells that is in football and life, and be very disciplined, keep going, training well, keep believing in your abilities, keep going even on a very rainy day. I think that's a big credit to him and a great example. Those stories I think we should all appreciate and be happy about. Let me put it this way, I think we've got a very good midfield. I like the five midfielders we have, or six we have, sorry, in Archie, Lucas, Kazuma, Shao, and Pape. I'm very happy with them. Hi Thomas, how are you? I'm good, thank you. So let's say high pressure, I'm big on the man-man. Let's say defending low, there's some solo principles in defending the box. Also how we want to attack, there's also some key principles there. And their families. I'll take a break and then we're ready to kick on again. I'm definitely looking forward to what's happening after that. Speaking of international collapse, Richard was called up to the Brazil squad. How pleased are you for him, of course, but also how important is it for Brazil to keep the way you guys have been building him up nicely, fitness-wise? There's a couple of injuries I just want to check on, maybe timelines, if you can. Pizuma being one of them. And also, Radu Dragosin, when are you expecting him to be able to join back in with things? As I understand it, we still have a minor challenge there, so that decision will be made in due time. Hi Thomas, I've just got another one on Jed. How did you find out that he'd been called up, and have you spoken to him directly about it? Yes, we found out when he was announced at 12 o'clock, so luckily we started training at 12, so someone came out straight after. He, as I understood it, received a text earlier today. What specific qualities do you want from someone who plays in the central attacking midfield role, whether that's someone new or someone who is already in the squad? You obviously like players that can play in multiple positions. Does it ever reach a point in that player's career where they need to specialise or stick to one particular role? I think... I think if you... That's a good question. I think when we see players performing in their best, most likely they play in one position. No matter if it's tent, or right wing, or striker, or centre-back. But these days we see centre-backs also play as a full-back. Some midfielders play tent, sometimes they play six. So I think it is, when they go towards their peak, if that makes sense, that's where they should settle into that position. That's not the same that they can't play across a front four or front three. Also the modern football, I think they are much more flexible now. The front three now need to be playing on the wings, the striker as a tent. There's a certain player from Amsterdam we believe is on the other side of the building, and you can almost feel the excitement in the place. How can I chuck to you that Spurs are really, really close to signing a brilliant player? I think that we are close to signing someone, but let's see. As I said, just as a go-to, it makes it so much easier. I speak about the players as well, I'm very happy that I found out to say that in Brentford and kept it consistent. I think I would always say I had an offensive mindset as a coach, always try to push to play more offensive, try to go for the next goal. I agree, it aligns perfectly with the club's values and the history of the club. Since I started as a young coach, when I came to Brentford I actually got an extra notch. I know it's not a big club, but the ownership in Matthew and Phil and Rasmus were big on that also. Obviously, the Champions League draw was last night and I guess a little bit of everything in there. Big teams, some familiar teams for the squad and obviously the Danish club as well. What did you make of it? Overall, I thought it was an okay draw. Sometimes we draw, they can look very bad on paper or they can look very good, but at the end of the day, it's how we perform against these teams and we know the Champions League. For every team, no matter if it's PSG or Dortmund or a club that is not as big, whatever, Slavia or Copenhagen, it's the biggest game of the season, so that would be tough.