Just a week after missing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur sent a strong message. The success of a season is not only determined in the transfer market.
In a short time under new coach Thomas Frank, Spurs almost defeated defending Champions League champions Paris St-Germain in the European Super Cup. They then started the Premier League by crushing Burnley 3-0. But when Eze chose Arsenal over the "Roosters", the atmosphere at Tottenham seemed to sink.
As Spurs headed to the Etihad, thousands of their fans were holding the slogan "we want Levy to leave". This is both a missed Eze and a long-standing dissatisfaction with Chairman Daniel Levy.
However, in just 45 minutes, everything was reversed. Tottenham ended the first half with a 2-0 advantage and with both control and discipline, they maintained the victory right on Man City's field. In a moment, Spurs climbed to the top of the Premier League. And then the question was raised, with a mocking smile: "Who is Eze? ".
"I am very proud of the players' performance, a particularly excellent match. To be fair, we have received many questions about the transfer market.
But I believe we have a quality team, talented players, and I am completely satisfied with them. If we can add it, it would be great, but if not, we still have a very strong team. And today they proved it," Frank said after the win over Man City.
When asked about Eze's dismissal of Spurs to Arsenal, Frank replied: "I don't want any player who doesn't really want to come to this club."
He added that the impressive performance against Man City could prepare other transfer targets to join Tottenham in the final days of the transfer window.
In the first 35 minutes, Tottenham were under heavy pressure and needed the excellent reflex of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to refuse Omar Marmoush's dangerous shot. But the last 10 minutes of the first half were a tactical game.
A long pass rips through Man City's high defense, Richarlison speeds down and crosses to Brennan Johnson. Initially, the linesman raised the flag of of offside, but after VAR intervened, the goal was recognized.
Just a few minutes later, the pressing pressure on the edge of the penalty area caused goalkeeper James Trafford to miss a pass. Joao Palhinha immediately took advantage of his mistake to double the gap.
The message is very clear - it is not necessary to need transfer blockbusters to play well and win. The more important thing is that a coach needs to know exactly what he is doing.
Frank, who created an earthquake at the Etihad with Brentford in 2022, this time only used 2 summer signings, Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus in the starting lineup. The rest are players who he knows how to exploit better than his predecessors.
The way Tottenham closed the game - with Man City's discipline and ability to suppress opportunities - looked very different from the free-spirited but fragile play under Ange Postecoglou.
Last season, Spurs only kept a clean sheet in 6 Premier League matches. This season, they have done that in both of the opening rounds. Frank are gradually rebuilding a team that seemed disoriented after finishing 17th last season, despite the excitement of the Europa League title.
The road ahead is certainly full of thorns, but at the moment, everything is bringing a bright shade to "The Rooster".
"I think we played very well in the second half. When they pressured us, we responded strongly. Keeping clean makes me really satisfied. This is the result of continuous efforts. Last year we only did it six times," Frank added.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola continues to be a familiar victim of Spurs. He has lost eight Premier League games to Tottenham, more than any other opponent.
