Thomas Frank could look to Tottenham Hotspur for reinforcements if he clinches a return to the Premier League

A Premier League return for Thomas Frank could have consequences for a number of Tottenham Hotspur players.

The former Spurs boss was sacked in February after spending less than eight months in north London. Frank, 53, has yet to return to management since his dismissal, instead working as a pundit for BBC Sport at the World Cup 2026.

However, his next management role could be in the offing as he's the favourite to take charge of Crystal Palace if they decide to sack Pierre Sage, reports The Times. The Frenchman has led the Eagles to rock bottom of the table after 10 games and their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday marked their fourth league defeat in a row.

A return to London for the Dane would come less than two months before the January transfer window. Palace are in dire straits and entering the winter market may be a necessity in order to stave off relegation.

Should the Eagles look to the window for outside help, Frank could look towards his former club to mastermind a raid. football.london have picked out four Spurs players who may be the centre of Frank's interest come the turn of the year.

Tosin Adarabioyo

The sales of former captain Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix earlier this year have left Palace dangerously devoid of defensive quality and experience. Loanees Axel Disasi and Honest Ahanor have struggled in Sage's backline, with Palace conceding a league-high 24 goals in their opening 10 games.

Turning to his former side for reinforcements could be an obvious decision for Frank, given the lack of playing time Spurs centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has received this season. The ex-Chelsea and Fulham star joined the club in September in a £12million deal, but has played just 76 minutes of Premier League football.

With 118 top-flight appearances to his name, the introduction of Adarabioyo to Palace's lacklustre defence could steady a seemingly sinking ship in south London.

Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher was brought to Spurs in a £35million deal by Frank, who was sacked less than a month after signing the Englishman from Atletico Madrid. Speaking days before his dismissal in February 2026, the manager spoke of the midfielder's attributes.

He said: "His character is unbelievable. He is a player who can build a top culture going forward. His work-rate and how he can carry the team on his back, more or less, though it’s not only about one player." An obvious fan of the 26-year-old, a return to Palace could reignite a career that has quietened in recent times.

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Gallagher was named Palace's player of the year during his 2021-22 loan spell at Selhurst Park, scoring eight goals in 34 games before going on to become a key player at Chelsea. He's largely been an impact player from the bench this season under Roberto De Zerbi and has managed just three league starts.

Richarlison

Palace's frailties in defence are matched by their toothlessness in front of goal. Strikers Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jorgen Strand-Larsen have combined for just one league goal in 11 games, with left-back Tyrick Mitchell leading the club charts with two goals.

Signing a striker will surely be a priority for Frank, who could turn to his former club to help solve that issue. One Spurs player that could emerge from the darkness of being frozen out by De Zerbi is Richarlison. The Brazilian hasn't featured for the senior team since his 68-minute cameo on the opening day of the season against Brentford.

After the 29-year-old's deadline day move to Everton broke down, he was left out of the club's 25-man Premier League squad, despite his 11 goals last season playing a pivotal role in Spurs' escape from relegation.

Ben Davies

The Eagles are notably lacking in leadership, and who better than Ben Davies to help restore some accountability? The Spurs icon is approaching 13 years in north London, but has seen his playing time severely reduced in recent years.

He's played 20 combined league games in the last two years and has managed just 22 minutes of action this season in games against Chelsea and Coventry City. Prising Davies away from Spurs could prove to be difficult for Frank, who could hope the potential promise of regular football and remaining in London would be enough for the Welshman.