Manor Solomon and four Tottenham stars facing sliding doors summers under Thomas Frank

The appointment of a new head coach will represent a fresh start for many Tottenham players. For some who maybe struggled to make their mark and play regularly during Ange Postecoglou's tenure, an opportunity could be there to do so under Thomas Frank.

Key to that will be strong pre-season campaigns, with Tottenham set to return to training at Hotspur Way very soon. football.london understands the first group of players will return towards the back end of the first week of July to start going through their various tests, blood work and then begin training with Frank and his new-look coaching staff.

It will be a staggered return for some of the squad as a handful of players were involved in international football immediately after the season came to a close. Then there are those taking part at the Under-21 and Under-19 European Championships such as Archie Gray, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert in the former and Mikey Moore and development squad player Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny in the latter.

READ MORE: Tottenham submit plans for buildings that will transform how their stadium looks

READ MORE: New Tottenham Nike away 25/26 kit leaked and it's got a special twist

Due to the sheer size of the Tottenham squad, it could be a crucial summer for some of the players when it comes to ensuring they have a long-term future in N17. football.london takes a look at five players who have to make their mark in pre-season:

Dane Scarlett

It could be a make-or-break season for Dane Scarlett when it comes to his Tottenham career. Making his Premier League debut for the club back in February 2021, it just hasn't quite happened for the striker in a Spurs shirt just yet.

The 21-year-old did score four goals during his time on loan at Oxford United last season but the regular starts he wanted weren't always there for him. He returned to Tottenham in January and chipped in with one goal and two assists as he finished the campaign with a Europa League winners' medal around his neck.

It's going to be extremely hard for him to play regularly at Tottenham but he can be a very good third-choice striker for the club due to the amount of games they will have to deal with in 2025/26. A strong pre-season under Frank could lead to him remaining with the club unless they feel a loan deal is best for his development.

If it doesn't quite happen for the player this season, a permanent move away could be on the agenda come 2026.

Alfie Devine

Alfie Devine is another player who seems to have been around a very long time despite his tender years. The midfielder, who turns 21 at the start of August, made his Spurs debut as a 16-year-old and notably scored in the 5-0 FA Cup win over Marine.

The ex-Wigan Athletic youngster enjoyed a very productive season on loan at Belgian side Westerlo and he will return to Hotspur Way a much better player for his experience. Devine has caught the eye for Tottenham in the last two pre-season campaigns and he will be intent on making it a third.

If he does that then Frank may want to keep him part of his Tottenham squad for the new season. If it is to be a third successive season out on loan for Devine then you have to wonder if his Spurs chance will ever actually arrive.

Ashley Phillips

Two years on from his transfer from Blackburn Rovers, Ashley Phillips is still waiting to make his competitive debut for Tottenham. The youngster just wasn't used by Postecoglou in the first half of the 2023/24 season even though the team were going through a big crisis at centre-back.

Duly heading to Plymouth Argyle on loan in January and then Stoke City last season, Phillips may be in line for a third successive season out on loan. Due to the amount of options ahead of him at centre-back, with highly-rated Luka Vuskovic adding to the numbers this summer, it's hard to see where he gets first-team opportunities at Tottenham.

Even though he's only 19 years of age, this season could be big in terms of his Tottenham career and what comes next.

Alejo Veliz

Alejo Veliz has struggled to make his mark in the European game since joining Tottenham from Rosario Central two years ago. Amid his lack of playing time in north London, the Argentine has spent time on loan with Sevilla and Espanyol but the goals and regular minutes he requires have unfortunately alluded him.

Frank will take a look at Veliz and the rest of the Tottenham squad in pre-season when they return and the striker has to take his opportunity with both hands. That wasn't the case last summer as he failed to make his mark in his playing time and subsequently saw Will Lankshear and Scarlett jump ahead of him.

Manor Solomon

The appointment of a new head coach could change things for Manor Solomon at Tottenham. Restricted to only six appearances in his debut season at the club and heading on loan to Leeds United last season as he needed to play week in, week out after his previous injury woes, the winger's time at Elland Road was a major success.

Solomon finished the season with ten goals and 13 assists to his name, including the goal that won Leeds the Championship title in the final minute of the campaign. Set to return to Tottenham a player full of confidence, Solomon could well be part of Frank's squad for 2025/26 if he catches the Dane's eye.

After all, Tottenham do need options out wide at present and that is something Solomon can offer. If he is not to be part of Frank's plans and can move on, Spurs will not be short on options and could bring in a decent fee for him.

The first impressions of Thomas Frank, Spurs' transfer needs & pre-season plans - click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham!