Super Cup: Bissouma dropped from Spurs' squad, Solanke fit for PSG clash
Frank also confirmed that striker Dominic Solanke will be available for the start of the new season despite featuring in only one of Spurs' pre-season friendlies due to an ankle injury.
Speaking on Tuesday before the European season curtain-raiser between the Champions League winners and second-tier Europa League champion, Frank said: 'Bissouma has been late several times and now this time, it was one too many.
'With everything, you need to give your players a lot of love but also have demands and have consequences. And this was the consequence of that.'
New arrival Joao Palhinha, on loan from Bayern Munich, could play in place of Ivorian-born Mali international Bissouma, though Tottenham will be without playmaker James Maddison, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
ALSO READ | Last Liverpool goal had special meaning for Diogo Jota
New manager Frank's tenure could start with a gleam of silverware if Spurs manage to defeat European champion PSG, which was beaten by Chelsea in last month's FIFA Club World Cup final. The Dane added that a lighter pre-season since Tottenham's Europa League triumph on May 21 could give his comparatively better-rested side an edge over the French team.
'We have had a more normal pre-season which is what every coach would prefer. In that way, it can be an advantage. But on the flip side, they have had a long season and played a lot of games recently,' Frank said.
'It's the right time to face PSG. We are ready. I am 100% convinced that it will be very super competitive tomorrow.
'But of course, over the whole season they are in a better place to perform better. But in a single game, we will be ready.'
Though Spurs are without former captain Son Heung-min after his move to MLS side LAFC, Frank said their Argentine World Cup-winning defender Cristian Romero would be a key figure.
'Romero is going to be a very important and experienced player for the team. He is going to be a very, very big player for us tomorrow,' he said.
'He is someone who has been in big finals and won them. He definitely knows how to win them.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympic medallist, sports medicine pioneer Vece Paes passes away at 80
Kolkata: Vece Paes, who passed away early on Thursday, was a rare elite sportsperson who leaves behind his mark also as a highly respected sports medicine specialist. Paes, father of tennis great Leander, had been under treatment at a city hospital since Tuesday owing to complications arising out of long-standing Parkinson's disease and age related issues. He was 80. As per a statement from the hospital, Paes was admitted "with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections". Paes was a medical practitioner at this hospital in the 1960s. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Bengal Hockey Association officials informed that the funeral would be held on Monday, after his brother and daughters arrive from the US. The Goa-born Paes earned his medical degree at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, which subsequently became his home. The hockey midfielder achieved the high point of his career when he earned an Olympic bronze at the 1972 Munich Games as a member of the Indian team. The previous year, he was part of the team that won bronze in the Barcelona World Cup. Leander has often said that it was this bronze that motivated him to reach the heights in tennis. The senior Paes, in fact, had a significant role to play in his son's career. He relived the 1972 Olympic moment in 1996 when Leander won a bronze at the Atlanta Games. Incidentally, Paes' former wife and Leander's mother Jennifer is a former captain of the national basketball team. After he quit the game, Vece Paes became a full-time sports medicine specialist. Various organisations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Asian Cricket Council, the All India Football Federation and the Indian Olympic Association had involved him as a sports medicine consultant. He had also travelled with the Indian Davis Cup team as the doctor. Apart from that, he had been associated with various clubs and sports bodies from time to time, including East Bengal where he had assisted Bhaichung Bhutia among others. His work towards anti-doping awareness and education has been lauded. Apart from hockey, Paes was passionate about rugby and was also the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. He also played cricket and football at the divisional level. A multi-faceted personality, Paes leaves behind a legacy in Indian sport that will be forever remembered. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was among the first to send condolences on his death. "Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Olympic Games. His contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered," she posted on X. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, former hockey players Ajit Pal Singh, BP Govinda, Viren Rasquinha, tennis ace Sania Mirza were among those who paid their tributes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Title dreams and redemption: Premier League teams gear up for new campaign
By Lori Ewing HT Image MANCHESTER, England, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Fresh off a dominant title-winning campaign, Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have transitioned from Juergen Klopp's high-octane chaos to a more measured possession-based style under Arne Slot. Liverpool host Bournemouth in the season's curtain-raiser on what is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield after the July 3 death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash. Liverpool, who locked up last year's title with four matches to spare, had a bold and ambitious summer, signing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, who headline a revamped attack that promises to be among the most explosive in the league. They also added pace at fullback by acquiring Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain central pillars. The key question is can Liverpool's new-look defence hold firm to support a title repeat? Slot is cautiously optimistic. "The reason that it is so difficult is there are so many competitors who can also win the league here," he said on Thursday. "To win it once is already very, very special. That is unbelievable if you are able to do it (twice) in this league. This year it is probably going to be harder than before." Bournemouth finished ninth last season. Manchester City travel to Wolverhampton on Saturday as Pep Guardiola looks to restore his revamped team to their former glory after last term's third-place disappointment. Rodri, whose absence last season due to a serious knee injury contributed to City's poor campaign, is facing a race to get fit for their opening match after picking up an injury during the FIFA Club World Cup. The Ballon d'Or winner has returned to training, but Guardiola said he will not be "really, really fit" until after the September international break. City finished 13 points behind Liverpool last season. Wolves were 16th. Perennial contenders Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons running, travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to play Manchester United in a much-anticipated clash of two revamped teams. Desperate to break the second-place cycle, the Gunners added quality and depth in signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster the midfield, and Viktor Gyökeres to help solve their long-standing striker issue. Arsenal's defence remains elite — and will be put to the test against United's brand new front three of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. After their dismal 15th-place finish last season under new boss Ruben Amorim, United have been in full rebuild mode, with expectations high but patience wearing thin. The Red Devils are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to European football. But United remain a wild card. The big question is can Amorim quickly galvanise his new-look squad into a competitive force, or will this be another frustrating season of transition? The three promoted clubs get a taste of England's top flight this weekend with Sunderland hosting West Ham United and Burnley travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and Leeds United hosting Everton on Monday. (Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester, England; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
AIFF Counsel To Mention ISL Impasse To Supreme Court On August 18
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will mention the raging issue concerning the Indian Super League before the Supreme Court on Monday. The apex court has reserved its judgement on draft AIFF constitution and a hearing is scheduled for Monday. Hundreds of Indian and foreign footballers are living in uncertainty as the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and AIFF with regards to Indian Super League is yet to be signed. The clubs have decided not to pay salaries to the players and support staff till the impasse continues. "A discussion was held between the legal representatives of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, on Thursday, August 14, 2025," AIFF issued a statement on 'X'. "It has been agreed by all parties that the concerns of the ISL clubs pertaining to the delay in the commencement of the 2025-26 ISL season, and the hardship being felt by the players and other stakeholders will be conveyed to the Hon'ble Supreme Court next week, for its kind consideration," it further stated. In fact, an AIFF source said that they are willing to file a written application if the court asks for one. "Yes we will be attempting to mention but since judgement is reserved we have to see how the judges takes it. If they feel there is merit in appeal, they may ask for an application to be filed. The plight of the players, clubs and football need to be brought to their notice, " a club source told PTI. The AIFF on Wednesday had asked the legal counsels of the game's apex body and the ISL clubs to "hold discussions" on the teams' concerns about the uncertainty over the upcoming season of the top-tier league. Last week, 11 Indian Super League clubs had urged the AIFF to urgently bring the "current situation" of Indian football, arising out of the uncertainty over ISL's future, to the attention of the Supreme Court before which a case relating to the constitution of the national federation is pending. The ISL clubs, in a letter, said that they will have no option but to seek judicial recourse independently if the AIFF does not act on their request. "On August 13, the AIFF responded and requested that the legal counsels of the clubs and the federation meet to hold discussions on the matter and decide on further action," the AIFF tweeted. The clubs requested the AIFF to approach the top court a day after the national federation proposed the Super Cup in September to ensure sufficient competitive matches for the clubs after ISL organisers FSDL put a "pause" on the league due to uncertainty over the renewal of Master Rights Agreement (MRA) it signed with them in 2010. The crisis deepened after ISL organisers FSDL put the 2025-26 season "on hold" on July 11 due to uncertainty over the renewal of the MRA, prompting at least three clubs to either pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries.
