Tottenham’s defensive instability is becoming increasingly evident as the season progresses, with Guglielmo Vicario’s brilliance often rescuing the team in crucial moments. The Lilywhites may have kept seven clean sheets across all competitions this season, but there remain clear gaps at the back that Thomas Frank must address if he wants his side to keep pace with their rivals.

The formidable partnership between Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero has been key to Spurs’ defensive solidity in the early stages of the campaign. The duo played a vital role in helping the North London club secure three clean sheets in their first four Premier League matches. However, since the victory over West Ham, the Lilywhites have managed just one clean sheet in their next six league fixtures, highlighting a worrying dip in consistency.

Tottenham considering swoop for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

This inconsistency suggests that Thomas Frank’s men still have underlying issues that must be resolved before they can challenge teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. A lack of defensive depth, combined with an ongoing injury crisis at N17, has made Frank’s task far more difficult as he looks to stabilise the squad and restore confidence at the back.

Many expected Tottenham to...