Can Borussia Mönchengladbach ace mould himself into a Thomas Frank defender at Tottenham Hotspur? – Opinion

As Thomas Frank takes charge of the proceedings at the helm at Tottenham Hotspur, the North Londoners are expected to evolve into more of a system-driven side that plays in a more compact manner and are a flexible team that is built on positional discipline and intelligent ball use. And as the Lilywhites transition their roster as per the playing style of the incoming Danish head coach, they have turned their attention to Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Ko Itakura, who has built a reputation as one of the most composed and tactically versatile centre-backs in the German top tier.

Following the Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou (and qualifying for the Champions League while doing so), whilst keeping in mind how the North Londoners had struggled with depth in the previous campaign, Daniel Levy would be looking to ensure that the Lilywhites are ready to compete on all fronts in the upcoming campaign.

And bringing in a defender could be one of the priorities at N17 this summer, given how Spurs suffered with injuries at the heart of defence in the 2024/2025 season, which saw the likes of Archie Gray being deployed as a makeshift centre-back. Then to build on that, we are also seeing reports compounding about Cristian Romero linked with a possible N17 exit in the ongoing summer transfer window, making it more of a priority to bring in a new centre-back this summer.

The Premier League heavyweights are said to have been made aware of the 28-year-old potential availability during the summer transfer window, given how Daniel Levy and his team have been touching base over a possible transfer over the past eighteen months, and per Givemesport, the Lilywhites have now been informed that he will be available in the coming weeks.

But this is where the question arises: does Itakura fit the mould of what Thomas Frank needs at Hotspur Way?

Let’s get into Ko Itakura for a moment…

Strengths

The Japanese international is a system-flexible centre-back who is comfortable playing in a back four as well as slotting in a back three (and this plays well in the hybrid framework that Thomas Frank uses). The fact that he reads space well and has that ability to anticipate attacking movements to make proactive interceptions also bodes well in the compactness that the Dane head coach likes to operate within.

Moreover, one of his biggest assets is his ability to pass within different ranges, given that he can play through a diagonal ball to break a press or even play a vertical pass into the midfield. I think this ability he has with the ball brings a lot of high-value ball progression to the side, which has the capacity to get better if mid-blocks (which the North Londoners did struggle against last season).

And the thing is that he also gives you that versatile capability given how he can play as a right centre-back in a three and as a right CB in a four. He can also play in a defensive midfielder role (as a deep pivot) if needed. Now this makes him a valuable player, especially when Frank wants to adjust shapes mid-game or cover for injuries without changing his structure.

And lastly, he brings a sense of composure under pressure, which will be a big boost given how the North Londoners, at times in the last season, struggled with hurried clearances (especially without Romero), and then Itakura brings you that sense of calmness in the press as he takes his time on the ball and plays low-risk exits from danger situations.

Weaknesses

When I am thinking about the elite physical standards of the Premier League, then Itakura will not be the most physically dominant defender. The Japanese international relies more on positioning than playing with his physicality, and this can end up being tested in high-tempo situations or in aerial duels against strikers like Haaland or Havertz.

And there is also this recurring muscle problem that he has been undergoing in the past couple of seasons, and given all the injuries that the North Londoners suffered in the last season, it would be a slight red flag to consider his signatures.

How can Ko Itakura tactically fit in at Tottenham?

So if Thomas Frank is to play a back three (3-5-2), then play Itakura as RCB, where he is tasked with ball progression and then protecting the wide zones behind Pedro Porro when he bombs forward to attack. He can combine well with a deeper pivot like Bentancur or Frendrup (if Tottenham signs him). And would be ideal in games where the North Londoners are expecting a lot of possession.

You can also start him next to Micky van de Ven in a back four where he plays in a more reserved role, given that here he gives Van de Ven that freedom to carry forward, while the Japanese international drops deeper and gives you that right-footed balance to left-footed Micky. He is quite ideal for games where you need a sense of symmetry in build-ups from the back.

And when playing against possession-heavy sides (City or Arsenal), you can play him as a deep pivot, so you end up having more vertical compactness and a more secure base in the middle of the park, especially when Bentancur is pushing higher.

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Author Opinion

Now signing Ko Itakura will not bring you world beating headlines but he will give you exactly that tactically astute option that Thomas Frank will like in his roster.

If Levy is looking to bring in a sense of depth and mobility without paying hefty fees then Itakura is a signing that makes sense.