Thomas Frank has quickly addressed Tottenham’s defensive issues since taking charge at N17 in the summer. Under his leadership, the Lilywhites have become far more organised and compact, making it increasingly difficult for opponents to break them down. Unlike last season, the North London side are no longer conceding cheaply and have learned how to consistently keep clean sheets.

A large part of this defensive improvement is due to the strong partnership formed between Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. The pair have become key figures at the back, displaying leadership and quality throughout. Their efforts have helped Spurs secure eight clean sheets across all competitions this season.

Both Tottenham defenders have clearly stood out under Thomas Frank this season.

Thomas Frank also deserves credit for allowing both defenders to play to their strengths. Romero and Van de Ven were excellent once again in the Champions League win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night, where they recorded their third clean sheet of the competition. Romero also provided an assist for the fourth goal, while Van de Ven produced a stunning solo effort, running the full length of the pitch before scoring.

This season, Romero and Van de Ven have complemented each other perfectly. When...