Mathys Tel has managed to find his way into the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI under Thomas Frank
Tottenham forward Mathys Tel was the standout performer among the players who featured against Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend. The Frenchman did not start the match, with Thomas Frank opting to give Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison the chance to lead the line. It was a surprising selection, given Tel’s impressive displays in recent weeks.
However, the 20-year-old was introduced in the second half, coming on in place of Xavi Simons to a chorus of boos around the stadium. Tel responded immediately, making an instant impact by scoring for Spurs just four minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Mathys Tel has managed to find his way into the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI under Thomas Frank.
Mathys Tel scoring the equaliser against Manchester United for Tottenham.
His equaliser was his second goal of the season and served as a reminder that he has the qualities to become a key player under Thomas Frank. Earlier in the campaign, many questioned Frank’s decision to leave Tel out of the Champions League squad for the group stage. The Frenchman now appears determined to prove that he should never have been overlooked.
Mathys Tel is slowly proving his worth at Tottenham this season
Mathys Tel experienced a slow start at Tottenham and quickly slipped down the pecking order after his summer move from Bayern Munich. Expectations were high when he arrived, with many believing he would be a regular starter at N17. While his early form was inconsistent, the forward has worked his way back into contention and is now showing his true potential.
Kevin Hatchard now believes that Bayern Munich made a mistake in letting Tel go as he still has all the capabilities of becoming a world-class player. Speaking on talkSPORT, Hatchard claims,
“I was so pleased for Tel because I think he’s better than what he’s showing. I genuinely do think that. I think there’s something there and I actually think Bayern made a rare mistake when they let him go because I think they’ve got a slot for him. He could’ve played the Jackson role and slotted in perfectly. But yeah, I’m so pleased for him.”
Hatchard was glad to see Tel score his second goal of the season against Manchester United, especially after the boos that greeted his introduction. He believes the Frenchman could still have been useful at Bayern, arguing that the German champions may have moved him on too soon.
Tel now looks to have moved ahead of Richarlison and could establish himself as a first-choice option, especially following Randal Kolo Muani’s recent injury. The 20-year-old is also back in contention for inclusion in Tottenham’s Champions League squad for the knockout stages. His link-up play and intelligent movement make him a strong fit for Thomas Frank’s system and a likely regular starter moving forward.
The onus is now on the young forward to make the most of his chances and make a consistent impact for the Lilywhites moving forward. Will Tel manage to prove his critics wrong in the coming months? Let us know in the comments below.