The start to Tottenham’s Thomas Frank era has been a topsy-turvy ride. For every positive, there’s been a negative. Yes, Spurs currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League standings, but a poor recent performance against Chelsea set alarm bells ringing, while throwing away a 2-1 lead against Manchester United in the 96th minute last time out certainly hasn’t helped things.
At the opposite side of the spectrum, there has been plenty to shout about. A 2-0 victory at Manchester City earlier in the season, back in August, continued Spurs’ stellar record against Pep Guardiola’s side, while an unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign has also been an overwhelming positive. But even so, the latest betting odds show a lack of confidence in Tottenham from punters.
The latest Bovada sports betting odds currently consider the Spurs an 8/1 outsider to finish in the top four, which kind of tells you all you need to know about their performances so far this term. But another place where their Jekyll and Hyde-like status rears its head is with their two marquee loan signings, Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani.
The former has been almost an ever-present for Spurs so far this term, anchoring Frank’s midfield with authority. The latter, however, has struggled, initially with an injury and now with form concerns as he tries to get up to pace with the relentless speed that the Premier League demands. Over the years, Tottenham have made plenty of loan signings, but which of them are considered the best? Let’s take a look.
Gareth Bale
After falling out of favour at Real Madrid following seven trophy-laden years, Gareth Bale was on the lookout for a new home in the summer of 2020, looking for regular minutes before leading Wales into action at the one-year-postponed UEFA Euro 2020. His famous “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.” flag certainly didn’t go down well at the Bernabeu, and the writing was on the wall that he would soon be on his way. Spurs were only too happy to welcome their favourite son back home, albeit temporarily, courtesy of astronomical wage demands.
Throughout his initial stint in North London, Bale became one of the three best players on the planet, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. His 2012/13 season in particular was spectacular, bagging 26 goals in 44 appearances – the vast majority of them absolute screamers – triggering Los Blancos to fork out a then-world record €100m to secure his services. Seven years later, Bale was back, and while he was no longer the force of old, he still had plenty to offer at the age of 31.
Bale didn’t disappoint, igniting the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with 16 goals and 5 assists across 34 appearances in all competitions. The Welsh Wizard formed a devastating strike force with the prolific Harry Kane and South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min, with the fearsome trio racking up a mighty 71 goals between them. Highlights included a sublime solo run and finish against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, a brace dismantling Leicester on the final day to snatch Europa League qualification, and a clinical finish versus Manchester United. Yet, injuries—calf strains and ankle woes—limited his rhythm, sidelining him for chunks of the campaign.
At the end of his loan deal, Spurs opted not to make the move permanent. Bale would instead head Stateside, spending six months with Los Angeles FC, leading them to a maiden MLS Cup crown and netting a crucial 98th-minute equaliser before going on to win a penalty shootout. After the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Wales, Bale would retire at the age of 33, bringing the curtain down on one of the finest careers British football has ever seen.
Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero had a spectacular season for Atalanta in 2020/21, claiming Serie A Defender of the Season honours. It was quite the coup when the Argentine pitbull arrived in North London on a season-long loan deal, with the €50 million buy option leaving many thinking that Spurs had unearthed an absolute gem. The 23-year-old centre back—fresh off anchoring Atalanta’s third-place finish—joined a defence craving steel. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, then Antonio Conte, Romero wasted no time imposing his no-nonsense style on Tottenham’s back line.
In his debut season, Romero featured in 27 matches across all fronts and quickly became Spurs’ first-choice center half. His new side conceded just 40 league goals en route to fourth place and Champions League qualification. Memorable moments? A thunderous header that sealed a stunning 2-0 win over Brighton in February 2022, and his combative display in the 3-2 thriller against Manchester City, where his crunching challenges silenced doubters and provided the platform for Harry Kane’s last-gasp 95th-minute winner.
Romero’s loan wasn’t flawless—injuries, including a hamstring tear, tested his resilience—but his ferocity transformed Spurs’ backline, earning him the moniker “Cuti.” The obligation-to-buy clause was activated in 2022, cementing his legacy as a cornerstone of a defence, which he still marshals today.
