Randal Kolo Muani Could Be The Answer To Thomas Frank’s £125m Tottenham Problem

Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night and Thomas Frank may have finally found the answer to his striker dilemma.

The hosts were dominant even after going a man down in the 57th minute when Brennan Johnson saw red, and they toyed with the Danish opposition for much of the night. Johnson had grabbed the opener thanks to calamitous goalkeeping from Dominik Kotarski before Wilson Odobert made it 2-0 courtesy of a Randal Kolo Muani assist.

Micky van de Ven’s solo goal then made it three, and it’s a goal that will be in the mix for the Puskas award. His defensive partner, Cristian Romero, set Joao Palhinha up for the fourth.

Frank will have been pleased with the performance, but there are still issues with his strikers on the goalscoring front. Richarlison came off the bench and hit the bar twice, from a header and then a penalty late on.

Tottenham 4-0 Copenhagen – Kolo Muani Arrives Just in Time

While goals are often the currency for a centre-forward, there were plenty of positives to take from Kolo Muani’s display up top. The French forward was a handful for the visitors, although he might not work on his finishing, given two big chances he missed.

The 26-year-old first fired just wide of the Copenhagen goal after Xavi Simons teed him up and could have finished off a sublime move. He then squandered another opportunity on the brink of half-time, heading over the bar with the goal gaping.

Frank may have been considering taking the Frenchman off, but he sprang into action to set Odobert up for the Lilywhites’ second. It was a clever move that saw him take the ball down before showing composure to play it to his fellow countryman, who made no mistake from close range.

Kolo Muani was one of several Tottenham players who came under fire for a disastrous 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea last Saturday. Jamie O’Hara was particularly scathing in his assessment of Frank’s new number nine.

But there are promising signs as he adjusts to life in North London and he may well have played his way into another start on Saturday. A return to Premier League football sees Spurs host Manchester United, with both enduring topsy-turvy form.

To Be Frank – Richarlison and Solanke’s Days Numbered

Tottenham swooped for Kolo Muani on transfer deadline day, bringing him to the English capital in an attempt to give Frank much-needed firepower. The club’s transfer chiefs’ decision was merited, given he’d bagged 10 goals in 22 games on loan at Juventus last season.

If he is given time, he could be the number nine the Lilywhites have been crying out for since Dominic Solanke’s drop-off in his debut season. The English frontman’s future is uncertain amid reports suggesting Frank is ready to part ways with the 28-year-old, who is still dealing with an ankle injury.

Spurs splashed a then club record £65million on Solanke in the summer of 2024, and it’s fair to say he’s failed to live up to expectations goals wise. Constant fitness issues have continued to plague him, and he just can’t be relied upon.

Richarlison looked to be headed for the exit door in the summer after helping Ange Postecoglou end his tumultuous reign with Europa League glory. But reports soon suggested Frank preferred the Brazilian over Solanke, a stance he confirmed after a sensational brace in the 3-0 win over Burnley in August.

The 28-year-old came off the boil as usual, showing the same inconsistency that has become a recurring theme that Spurs fans are too familiar with. He may be playing for his future, especially if Kolo Muani continues to improve, and that might lead to an exit in the near future, with the MLS a possible destination.

Richarlison arrived from Everton in £60million deal back in July 2022 but hasn’t quite managed to hit the heights anticipated. He will have a year left on his contract next summer and Frank’s rebuild could mean the club bid farewell to both the Brazil international and Solanke.