By MATT BARLOW, FOOTBALL WRITER
Published: 17:31 EST, 19 December 2025 | Updated: 17:31 EST, 19 December 2025
Thomas Frank hailed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as ‘a fantastic shot-stopper’ and promised to improve other parts of his game, just as he did with David Raya at Brentford.
Frank admits Vicario’s distribution can be better and has been working on it together with goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte.
The Spurs boss said: 'He’s a very good goalkeeper, a fantastic shot stopper and he’s saved us a lot this season when we needed him the most. Then like with any goalkeeper, there are a few development areas that we need to do the best we can to improve.
'He had a good level in distribution but it’s a level he could work on and get even better. That’s something we’re working on.'
Vicario has been criticised for costly mistakes in recent defeats against Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Frank recalled something similar with Raya, who has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award since leaving Brentford for Arsenal, and Mark Flekken, now at Bayer Leverkusen.
Thomas Frank hailed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as ‘a fantastic shot-stopper’ and promised to improve other parts of his game, just as he did with David Raya at Brentford
Frank has also spoken to Djed Spence about a show of dissent after being replaced at Forest
'Every keeper will always be highlighted,' said the Spurs boss. 'David Raya at Brentford in the beginning with some crosses or some distribution that led to goals.
'We worked on it and became better, and then he was sold to a club we can’t name.
'Then Mark Flekken, when he came to Brentford the first six months also took a little bit of time, but he developed which is natural.
'Vic has some of the key areas, Fabian and I identified from the beginning, and he worked very hard and showed some excellent things in terms of shot-stopping.'
Frank has spoken to Djed Spence about a show of dissent after being replaced at Forest. It is the second time Spence has been openly disrespectful towards his boss.
The first when he and Micky van de Ven refused his request to join him in a lap of appreciation for supporters following a home defeat against Chelsea. Both players later apologised to Frank.
'Two situations where he’s very aware of the fact it didn’t look the best,' said the Spurs boss. 'We are dealing with young people. He’s 25 years old, with a big focus and pressure and sometimes you don’t do it in the perfect way and you should learn from it and do it better in the future.'
Frank said he does not want to lose Brennan Johnson, who has been linked with a January move to Crystal Palace, but understands when players not featuring regularly look for a transfer.
He said: 'I will not speak about Brennan, but any player that maybe does not play all the time will probably always have a thought about that, but we need more than 11 players.
'In general, I’m happy with Brennan. He’s training well. He’s a big part when we’re playing a lot of games and we will be playing a lot of games so it’s important to have enough to shoot with.”