Farès Chaïbi will be looking to reignite his season when Eintracht Frankfurt host Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday evening.
The Algerian international heads into the high-stakes European tie seeking redemption after a subdued campaign in which he has struggled to secure regular playing time under head coach Dino Toppmöller.
Once viewed as a promising addition to the Frankfurt squad, Chaïbi has seen his influence wane in recent months, casting doubt on his current standing within the team.
Since making a starting appearance in a Bundesliga match against Union Berlin on 9 March, the former Toulouse midfielder has found himself relegated to a peripheral role.
His involvement in the Europa League Round of 16 ties against Ajax Amsterdam was limited to just eight minutes in the first leg and a mere five in the return fixture. The minimal time on the pitch has raised questions about whether he will be trusted with greater responsibility against Tottenham.
Chaïbi’s battle for a place in the starting eleven is complicated by the quality and depth of Frankfurt’s current squad. Veteran playmaker Mario Götze continues to operate in a deeper, quarterback-style role, orchestrating play with characteristic precision.
Up front, Hugo Ekitike has emerged as a key figure, finding the net 19 times this season and attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Rising star Jean-Matteo Bahoya has also turned heads with his electric pace, having recently set a Bundesliga speed record of 37 km/h.
In such a competitive environment, opportunities are scarce, and Chaïbi will need to make a decisive impact if handed a chance. Toppmöller may be tempted to utilise the 21-year-old’s agility and flair in attack, particularly against a Tottenham side desperate for European success to salvage their season.
For Chaïbi, Thursday’s match represents more than just a crucial moment in Frankfurt’s European campaign — it is a personal test. Once tipped to be a key creative outlet for the German club, he now finds himself at a crossroads, needing to prove he can deliver on big occasions.
The Europa League clash offers an ideal platform to silence critics and force his way back into Toppmöller’s plans.
While the manager has so far preferred other attacking options, Chaïbi’s technical skills and ability to unsettle defenders could provide a useful tactical variation. Against a Spurs defence known to be vulnerable under pressure, his unpredictability may yet prove decisive.
The evening promises to be a defining one — for Eintracht Frankfurt, as they look to gain an advantage before the return leg in London, and for Chaïbi, who hopes to seize the spotlight and remind fans and coaches alike of the talent that once made him one of Ligue 1’s brightest prospects.
As the lights shine on Deutsche Bank Park, Farès Chaïbi will know this could be his moment to turn a frustrating season into a story of revival.
