‘Wow, What a Player’ – Thomas Frank Backs Vitinha to Win Ballon d’Or as He Hails Tottenham’s ‘Aggressiveness’ in 5-3 Defeat to PSG

Thomas Frank Says ‘Wow, What a Player’ While Backing Vitinha for the Ballon d’Or and Praising Tottenham’s “Aggressiveness” in 5-3 Defeat to PSG

For a night that finished in disappointment on the scoreboard, Tottenham’s 5-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain somehow left Thomas Frank sounding more upbeat than he had been in weeks. Maybe that’s the strange charm of Champions League football — even when you lose, sometimes the performance says more than the result. And this was very much one of those nights for Spurs.

Frank came into the French capital under fire, bruised and a little battered after the weekend’s 4-1 humiliation against Arsenal. A derby loss stings, but a derby loss like that can send even the calmest manager into crisis mode. A chunk of the Spurs fanbase had gone feral on social media, questioning everything from Frank’s tactical approach to whether he truly understood the club at all.

But football swings fast, and what Tottenham produced in Paris was far closer to the version of Spurs Frank has been trying to build: organised, gutsy, aggressive, and willing to trade blows — even with the European champions.

Ultimately, PSG’s firepower was too much, and Vitinha, who is playing football like he’s been plugged into a power source unavailable to the rest of us, tore Spurs apart with a hat-trick. But Frank’s words after the match painted the picture of a manager who saw the performance, not the scoreline. And quite honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

Tottenham Respond After Arsenal Drubbing

If there was a time for Tottenham to shrink, it was now. A bruising week, rising tension, talking points swirling — all the ingredients for another meltdown. Instead, Spurs arrived in Paris looking like they had something to prove.

Frank knew it, too. “It was the reaction I wanted,” he told reporters afterwards, sounding relieved but also quietly satisfied. He spoke about aggressiveness, personality, character — the things he has been trying to instil since taking over. On Wednesday night, Spurs showed exactly that.

Twice they led against a PSG side loaded with quality and playing at home, which itself is no small achievement. The midfield felt alive again, the pressing was coordinated, and even though the defensive structure still had its wobbles, it didn’t resemble the passive, disjointed mess that folded at the Emirates.

You could feel it in Frank’s tone: this was a response. Not a perfect one, but enough to convince him that the team is still heading in the right direction.

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‘They Have One Ballon d’Or Winner… and I Think the Next One Is in Midfield’

The moment Thomas Frank started talking about Vitinha, you could almost sense the awe in his voice. He’s not a manager who throws around compliments cheaply — especially after just conceding five goals — but Vitinha forced it out of him.

“When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d’Or winner, and I think the next one is playing in midfield. Vitinha. Wow, what a player,” Frank said.

It’s one thing to admire an opponent. It’s another to go full-throttle and say he’ll win the next Ballon d’Or. And Frank didn’t hesitate — he doubled down on it later, telling TNT Sports that Vitinha is “the best midfielder in the world” and “will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”

The scary part? Watching this game, you’d struggle to argue with him.

Vitinha’s hat-trick wasn’t just a numbers thing. Every touch had purpose, every movement felt like he was three plays ahead. He drifted into half-spaces Tottenham simply couldn’t protect, and when he pulled the trigger for his first goal — the one Frank jokingly called “not top corner but top, top corner” — it was obvious Spurs were dealing with someone playing on a different plane.

Vitinha was everywhere. Dictating tempo, breaking lines, scoring, assisting — the full package. He has the swagger of a player who knows exactly how good he is but doesn’t need to showboat to prove it.

No wonder Frank was in awe.

Tottenham Staying Positive Despite Conceding Five Again

Tottenham’s defensive record this week reads like something out of a bad dream: four conceded against Arsenal, five against PSG. Two matches, nine goals shipped. Historically, this is unfamiliar territory — Spurs hadn’t conceded four or more in back-to-back games since May 2003, back in Glenn Hoddle’s second spell.

And Wednesday night also marked the first time Spurs have ever let in five goals away from home in a major European competition. It’s not the kind of milestone you frame and hang in the training ground lobby.

But what stands out is that the players didn’t spiral into negativity. Archie Gray, whose maturity continues to exceed his age by several years, was measured and optimistic after the final whistle.

“We played against probably the best team in Europe at the moment,” he said. “We scored some goals, there are things we can work on, but they are relentless. There are moments you will suffer against them.”

He’s not wrong. PSG, when in this mood, can make elite teams look ordinary. Spurs, at least, landed punches — something many visitors to the Parc des Princes fail to do.

The Thin Line Between Optimism and Danger for Tottenham

Paris Saint-Germain v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5

As much as Frank praised the character of the performance, he’ll know better than anyone that Spurs need results — and quickly. Performances without points eventually stop being encouraging and start being concerning.

Tottenham sit ninth in the Premier League going into the weekend, which feels bizarre for a squad this talented. Beat Fulham, and with a bit of help from results elsewhere, they could climb all the way to fourth. But lose — or even draw — and Spurs could sink into the bottom half again.

It’s a crossroads moment.

Fulham are one of those awkward sides who don’t care about narratives. They don’t care that Spurs “looked better” in Paris. They don’t care that Tottenham are trying to rebuild confidence. They will happily pull the plug on any optimism and leave Frank with far bigger problems.

That’s why the manager’s praise in Paris came with a hint of caution. Yes, the performance was encouraging. Yes, it showed character. But no, they cannot keep conceding this many goals and expect to survive at the level they want to be at.

Defensive lapses need fixing. Fast.

What Comes Next for Spurs?

There is a feeling around Tottenham — fragile, but real — that this team is close to something. That the performance against PSG wasn’t a fluke. That the Arsenal collapse won’t define them. That Frank’s words about identity and aggression aren’t empty PR soundbites.

But for all the talk of mentality and progress, Saturday night against Fulham becomes a litmus test. Win, and Spurs can point to Paris as the turning point. Lose, and the pressure that eased slightly on Wednesday will come roaring back.

One thing is certain: if Spurs show the same bravery, energy and intent they showed in the Champions League, they’ll give themselves a chance. And if they don’t, well — the table won’t lie.

For now, though, Frank has kept the mood positive, even in defeat. And with Vitinha lighting up Europe and the Champions League providing its usual chaos, this season still has a long way to go.