One-man team? The damning statistics which identify the Tottenham player boss Thomas Frank relies on most heavily

Spurs have endured a mixed start to the season under new manager Frank. Despite winning the Europa League last season, a significant injury crisis has carried over and hampered progress, with key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remaining long-term absentees, though recent signings like Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons have been integrated. Frank's side has performed better away from home, including impressive wins at Manchester City and West Ham. Whereas, their home form has been inconsistent, highlighted by league losses to Aston Villa and Bournemouth. And there have been uninspiring draws in the Champions League, where they remain unbeaten but not convincing.

The player that Frank relies on so heavily missed the recent 0-0 draw with Monaco in the Champions League and after the match, Spurs' Danish boss bemoaned his side's lack of energy. He said: "The intensity was not at the level we wanted to for whatever reason. I think it's something we've been very good to play with basically every game more or less. Today we couldn't go for whatever reason. That can be momentum, it can be a lot of things. Then I think on a general level we made too many mistakes. Decision-making and simple passes that didn't help on the day. It was a hard point won. I think it was a relatively even first half."

Frank added: "Second-half our performance was not good and Monaco were better than us. It demanded a lot to keep the clean sheet which we did in the end. I think Vicario was very good but we didn't hit the performance level we wanted to, especially in the second half. We're definitely learning [in the] Champions League. Playing away in the Champions League is always difficult. We still need to defend a lot but on the flip side, I think we created some chances, but of course I want more."

The statistics highlight that it’s captain Cristian Romero who is of vital importance to Tottenham's success. Since the beginning of the 23-24 season, Spurs' league win rate drops dramatically from 50 per cent when he starts to just over 23 per cent without him. In fact, across 26 league matches played without Romero, Tottenham have secured only six wins. His absence also has a clear defensive impact, as the team concedes an average of 16.3 shots per game, a notable increase from the 12.3 shots conceded when he is on the pitch.

Romero’s replacement is Austria international Kevin Danso, who has highlighted the importance of Romero’s passing game, he said: “Definitely, but also just try to fulfil the role as best as I can. Obviously, he’s a very important player for us. For me, it’s just doing the job, defending first and foremost and trying to replace him in that instance as best as I can. I think it was an okay game (on Sunday), unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but the aim is to win here tomorrow.”

Romero is doubtful for the upcoming Everton match this weekend after suffering a minor groin strain in the warm-up before the defeat by Villa. Frank believes the injury is not severe, but the Argentina international’s return date remains uncertain. After Everton, Spurs face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on October 29.