“I know Mathys Tel, I wanted him in Marseille when I was there.”
Roberto De Zerbi spoke highly of the Frenchman during his first press conference as Tottenham boss. It was a shock, then, that Tel started De Zerbi’s first game on the bench. Spurs travelled to Sunderland looking to end their winless run. Instead, they returned to London with another defeat.
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It was another ponderous display from Spurs. They weren’t help by a number of questionable refereeing decisions but they didn’t cover themselves in glory either. De Zerbi opted to start Richarlison from the left flank at the Stadium of Light. The Brazilian is a hard worker, we’ll give him that.
However, if Spurs are to end their 14-game winless streak this weekend, then it is imperative that Tel features from the outset this weekend. The north London side welcome De Zerbi’s former side Brighton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Seagulls are in good form for their trip to Spurs. A 2-0 win at Burnley last week means it’s now five victories in their last six.
Explosive Tel can play key role
They couldn’t have hoped for a better time to travel to Spurs. After all, this is the same Spurs side that boasts the second-worst home record in the top-four tiers of English football this season. The dire home showings are part of the reason Spurs are in this relegation mess.
And the best way to get out of the bottom three is for De Zerbi to play the players that’ll best suit his system. Tel is among those. It’s not a surprise that the Italian had hoped to sign the 20-year-old during his time at Marseille.
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Tel offers attacking versatility on the frontline. Able to play from the left or lead the charge, the former Bayern man can shoulder the creative or goalscoring burden for De Zerbi’s side. The 46-year-old likes speed up front. He looks to draw opponents in before a rapid switch in attack. This suits Tel, whose directness and explosiveness in attack suits this approach.
Directness found wanting since Kudus absence
These two traits are ones that have been found wanting for Spurs this season. It’s been magnified by Mohammed Kudus’ absence. The Ghana international has been sidelined since January with a quad injury. He’s unlikely to play again before the campaign draws to a close.
Despite a prolonged spell on the sidelines, Kudus still ranks fourth for completed take ons (52) in the division. The former West Ham man is still top for assists (5) for Spurs in the Premier League this season. He was one player De Zerbi was counting on to help drag Spurs through the mire.
It makes sense, then, for De Zerbi to rely on a player who can bring both the directness and create the chance for teammates. Tel does both. Only Kudus (3) is completing more take ons per 90 than Tel (2.9) of all Spurs players. The youngster’s two chances created per 90 ranks top for the club.
Tireless Tel
And it’s not that Tel brings more offensively to this Spurs side. The French forward is a tireless worker out of possession. 1.6 tackles and 1.2 fouls committed per 90 is proof that Tel is not one to shirk a physical battle. He’s prepared to ruffle feathers in order to disrupt opposition rhythm.
This is especially important for a Spurs side that has conceded the fourth most goals (51) and is conceding the sixth most shots per 90 (12.8) in the division. It’s even more relevant given Brighton’s averages of 12.8 shots and 9.3 chances created per 90, both of which rank eighth in the division.
The importance of Saturday’s Brighton clash
It’s vital, then, that Tel starts for Spurs this weekend. There was a distinct lack of penetration at Sunderland last weekend. Five completed take ons was Spurs’ fourth lowest in a Premier League match this season. If they are to harbour hopes of ending Brighton’s European hopes and boost their own survival hopes, then it’s imperative De Zerbi utilise Tel from the outset.
Saturday is a huge game for Spurs. With Forest up against Burnley and West Ham facing a Crystal Palace side, whose priority is the UEFA Conference League, on Sunday and Monday, respectively, victory is mandatory. De Zerbi needs to play his strongest available side to boost the chances of success. And his strongest starting XI is one that includes Tel.
