Tottenham Hotspur star Mathys Tel is ready to make the #9 position his own under Thomas Frank this season
Tottenham forward Mathys Tel opened his account for the season when the Lilywhites faced Leeds United in the Premier League just before the international break. Thomas Frank’s decision to start the Frenchman at Elland Road raised a few eyebrows, given that he was not in the best of form to lead the line in a tricky fixture. However, the youngster silenced his critics by finding the back of the net and playing a crucial role in helping the North London club clinch all three points.
Despite that performance, it is fair to say that Tel has yet to fully live up to expectations at N17. The 20-year-old has struggled to make a lasting impression on Thomas Frank, which ultimately cost him a place in Tottenham’s Champions League squad for the first half of the campaign. His omission came as a surprise to many, especially considering that the Lilywhites spent £40 million to bring him in during the summer.
It has been almost ten months since Tel joined Spurs from Bayern Munich, and there still remains uncertainty about his best position. The Frenchman has been used both as a number nine and on the left flank, but questions persist over where he can be most effective for the team.
Mathys Tel wants to prove his worth at Tottenham this season
At present, Tel has managed to reclaim the number nine role following Richarlison’s dip in form. The responsibility now lies with him to make the most of this opportunity and establish himself as a reliable option up front. So far, his performances have not fully convinced the Spurs supporters that he is the right man to lead the line if the club hopes to compete on all fronts this season.
However, Tel is eager to prove his critics wrong by taking it up as a ‘challenge’ to prove his worth under Thomas Frank this season. Speaking to The Telegraph, Tel said,
“To be honest, I was very, very mad for a lot of weeks. But I was like, ‘use this and show him you need to be on the squad list’. I will do everything to be in the squad list in January. This is a new challenge for me, I love challenges.”
Tel’s frustration over missing out on the Champions League squad is understandable, but it could also serve as motivation for him to raise his game. The young forward is eager to prove his worth to Thomas Frank and become an important figure for the Lilywhites in the coming months. His determination to fight for a place in the squad for the second half of the season is exactly what Spurs fans will want to see.
For now, though, the focus must be on consistency. Tel needs to translate his words into performances and show what he can deliver when given a fair chance in the Premier League. With competition for places heating up, the 20-year-old cannot afford to let standards slip if he hopes to cement his place in Tottenham’s starting eleven.
