{"id":1443907,"date":"2026-04-17T11:39:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1443907"},"modified":"2026-04-17T11:39:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:39:50","slug":"tactical-analysis-mathys-tel-tottenham-brighton","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mathys-tel-tottenham-brighton\/","title":{"rendered":"Mathys Tel analysis: Why Tottenham must start the French forward against Brighton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>\u201cI know Mathys Tel, I wanted him in Marseille when I was there.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s first game on the bench. Spurs travelled to Sunderland looking to end their winless run. Instead, they returned to London with another defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, this we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-explosive-tel-can-play-key-role\" data-level=\"3\">Explosive Tel can play key role<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-directness-found-wanting-since-kudus-absence\" data-level=\"3\">Directness found wanting since Kudus absence<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-tireless-tel\" data-level=\"3\">Tireless Tel<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-importance-of-saturday-s-brighton-clash\" data-level=\"3\">The importance of Saturday&#8217;s Brighton clash<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It was another ponderous display from Spurs. They weren\u2019t help by a number of questionable refereeing decisions but they didn\u2019t 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\u2019ll give him that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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\u2019s now five victories in their last six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-explosive-tel-can-play-key-role\">Explosive Tel can play key role<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the best way to get out of the bottom three is for De Zerbi to play the players that\u2019ll best suit his system. Tel is among those. It\u2019s not a surprise that the Italian had hoped to sign the 20-year-old during his time at Marseille.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>SpreadEx Sign-Up Offer:\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>SpreadEx are offering new customers the chance to get \u00a360 in free bets when they join and place \u00a310 in qualifying bets.<\/p>\r\n<p>To claim this offer, follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Create your account by clicking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/spreadex?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a> or the image below.<\/li>\r\n<li>Register for your account by adding your details. It only takes a few minutes.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make your first deposit then place a \u00a310 single or \u00a310 each-way fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1\/2<\/li>\r\n<li>Get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets on consecutive days and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1393518\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-768x392.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-400x204.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-392x200.png 392w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-118x60.png 118w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-150x77.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-40x20.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86.png 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review\">\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review__bet\">\r\n<div class=\"warning\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a \u00a310 fixed odds single or \u00a310 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1\/2 and get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-directness-found-wanting-since-kudus-absence\">Directness found wanting since Kudus absence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These two traits are ones that have been found wanting for Spurs this season. It\u2019s been magnified by Mohammed Kudus\u2019 absence. The Ghana international has been sidelined since January with a quad injury. He\u2019s unlikely to play again before the campaign draws to a close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1443915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/04\/17112508\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-9.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s two chances created per 90 ranks top for the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tireless-tel\">Tireless Tel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>And it\u2019s 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\u2019s prepared to ruffle feathers in order to disrupt opposition rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s even more relevant given Brighton\u2019s averages of 12.8 shots and 9.3 chances created per 90, both of which rank eighth in the division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-importance-of-saturday-s-brighton-clash\">The importance of Saturday&#8217;s Brighton clash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s 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\u2019 fourth lowest in a Premier League match this season. If they are to harbour hopes of ending Brighton\u2019s European hopes and boost their own survival hopes, then it\u2019s imperative De Zerbi utilise Tel from the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                       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It was a shock, then, that Tel started De Zerbi\u2019s first game on the bench. Spurs travelled to Sunderland looking to end their winless run. Instead,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1443908,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Why Tottenham must start Tel against Brighton, with key stats, tactical insight, and how he can help end Spurs\u2019 winless run.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"class_list":["post-1443907","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mathys Tel analysis: Why Tottenham must start the French forward against Brighton | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why Tottenham must start Tel against Brighton, with key stats, tactical insight, and how he can help end Spurs\u2019 winless run.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mathys-tel-tottenham-brighton\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mathys Tel analysis: Why Tottenham must start the French forward against Brighton\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Why Tottenham must start Tel against Brighton, with key stats, tactical insight, and how he can help end Spurs\u2019 winless run.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-mathys-tel-tottenham-brighton\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta 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MATHYS TEL of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the Champions League round of 16 match between ATLETICO DE MADRID and TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, held on March 10, 2026, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain. (Credit Image: \u00a9 Oscar Manuel Sanchez\/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! 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MATHYS TEL of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the Champions League round of 16 match between ATLETICO DE MADRID and TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, held on March 10, 2026, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain. (Credit Image: \u00a9 Oscar Manuel Sanchez\/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! 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