Tottenham Urged to Sign Player With Arsenal Tattoo to Bring Leadership Under New Manager Thomas Frank

Could Morten Hjulmand be the leader Spurs need, even with that Arsenal ink?

It’s a new dawn at Tottenham Hotspur. With Thomas Frank now officially at the helm after Ange Postecoglou’s surprising departure, all eyes are on how the club rebuilds — again. But this time, the direction seems a bit more Danish. The Brentford-to-Spurs pipeline is open, and at the centre of speculation stands one intriguing name: Morten Hjulmand.

A strong, disciplined midfielder. A born leader. Captain material. But there’s just one catch — he’s got an Arsenal tattoo.

Yes, seriously.

End of the Ange Era — Despite European Glory

Before diving into tattoos and transfers, let’s take a quick step back.

The decision to part ways with Postecoglou after the 2024–25 season raised more than a few eyebrows. The Australian boss had, after all, guided Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years — a Europa League title no less. For a club that had been mocked for its silverware drought, Postecoglou seemed to have finally turned a corner.

But football isn’t just about trophies. It’s about philosophy, long-term vision, identity. And perhaps behind the scenes, Spurs didn’t feel Angeball had enough legs to carry them forward. Enter Thomas Frank, a manager known for his tactical flexibility, talent development, and — you guessed it — deep Danish connections.

Why Hjulmand?

Morten Hjulmand Denmark

It didn’t take long for Frank’s appointment to ignite rumors. Danish names began to swirl in transfer circles, and one name kept popping up with increasing intensity: Morten Hjulmand, currently anchoring the midfield at Sporting CP in Portugal.

At 24, Hjulmand has emerged as one of the top holding midfielders in European football. Composed on the ball, aggressive in the tackle, and remarkably vocal — he’s the sort of midfield general Spurs have arguably lacked since the peak days of Victor Wanyama or Mousa Dembélé. His leadership credentials are unquestionable, having captained Lecce in Serie A before his switch to Sporting.

Former Danish international Thomas Gravesen summed it up well in a recent interview:
“He is a captain of calibre. Frank was with Norgaard for several years, and Hjulmand is an improved version and is even younger. That is why I think Frank’s first big purchase for Tottenham should be Hjulmand.”

High praise from a man who doesn’t give it lightly.

The Arsenal Tattoo Dilemma

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room — or rather, the cannon on his skin.

Morten Hjulmand has, at some point in his youth, had the misjudgment (or bravery?) to ink the Arsenal crest onto his body. A clear sign of his childhood allegiance to the Gunners — Spurs’ fiercest rivals.

Naturally, that has caused quite a stir among the Tottenham faithful. The idea of signing a self-declared Arsenal supporter, complete with tattoo evidence, feels almost sacrilegious to some.

But the question is: does it really matter?

Footballers grow up supporting clubs. It’s part of their story. What matters more is professionalism, commitment, and performance. Hjulmand is not a teenager writing “COYG” on his locker anymore — he’s a seasoned pro playing at a high level. And if anything, his move to Spurs would be an opportunity to rewrite that loyalty.

After all, Robin van Persie had Feyenoord ink. Fábregas bled Barça before dominating for Arsenal. Players grow up. Fans, perhaps, need to as well.

Sporting CP: Not Keen to Sell

Morten Hjulmand Sporting 2024-25

There’s another, perhaps more concrete obstacle standing between Hjulmand and a move to North London: Sporting don’t want to sell.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the “door is firmly locked” regarding any summer transfer. Hjulmand is under contract until 2028, and the release clause in that deal stands at a hefty €80 million (£68m). That’s a steep price for a deep-lying midfielder — especially one with no Premier League experience.

Sporting have every reason to hold firm. Hjulmand has been integral to their midfield since arriving in 2023, and with Champions League football secured, they’ll want to keep their best players.

However, as we’ve seen before, when the Premier League comes calling with serious money, “firmly locked doors” have a way of creaking open. And if Frank insists that Hjulmand is essential to his Spurs blueprint, it’s hard to imagine Daniel Levy not exploring a route to make it happen — especially given the need to reshape the squad for a new tactical direction.

Where Would He Fit in Thomas Frank’s Tottenham?

Tactically, Hjulmand would slide naturally into a Thomas Frank system. At Brentford, Frank prized physicality and intelligence in midfield. Christian Nørgaard was the metronome, the transition anchor. Hjulmand could be that player for Spurs — but with a higher ceiling.

In a 4-3-3 or even a hybrid 3-5-2 system, Hjulmand would give the side positional discipline and protection, freeing up creative players like James Maddison to operate further up the pitch. He’d also add something Spurs have arguably lacked since the Dembele-Wanyama days — bite.

Hjulmand doesn’t just pass sideways and recycle possession. He snaps into tackles, reads danger early, and has the calmness to turn defense into attack quickly. In short, he’s a Frank-type player, through and through.

Tattoos Don’t Win Matches – But Leaders Might

In the end, football is about results. Not ink. Not rivalries. Leadership is rare, and Tottenham need it. If Frank sees Hjulmand as a future captain and cornerstone of his rebuild, it may be worth looking past a youthful mistake etched in ink.

Plenty of Spurs fans who’ve suffered through years of underachievement might agree: if he helps them lift a trophy or dominate a derby, he can tattoo whatever he wants.

Final Thoughts

The early signs of the Thomas Frank era at Tottenham point to a smarter, more structured recruitment strategy. Morten Hjulmand might not be the headline name fans dream of, but he could very well be the foundation of something lasting.

And as for that Arsenal tattoo? Well, maybe he can just add a Lilywhite one on the other arm — balance, right?