Tottenham Hotspur had to jump through plenty of hoops before securing the loan signing of Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel for the rest of the season, with an option to buy. Now, after a handful of appearances, there are already key takeaways from his time in North London. Let’s take a look at five things we have learned so far.
Tottenham’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements was anything but straightforward. The January window saw them linked with several forwards before Spurs finally confirmed the signing of Tel, a player regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Given his limited minutes at Bayern, the move offered him a chance to showcase his ability in a league known for its physicality and intensity.
Since his arrival, the Frenchman has featured in five matches, four of them starts, which in itself is an improvement on the sporadic game time he had in Germany.
However, his performances have been a mixed bag. There have been glimpses of promise but also signs that adaptation will take time. Now, with a few games under his belt, what have we learned about Mathys Tel at Spurs?
Five things we have learned from Mathys Tel’s time so far
He needs to adapt physically to the Premier League
There is no doubt Tel possesses serious talent, and his well-taken goal against Aston Villa in the FA Cup hinted at his finishing ability.
However, since that game, he has struggled to impose himself in the Premier League. Barring the match against Manchester United, the 19-year-old has been largely anonymous.
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He has often faded out of games, which is likely down to his physical attributes. Centre-backs are bullying him, limiting his effectiveness.
His last outing against Ipswich Town summed it up—no shots and just one touch in the opposition box. That is simply not good enough for a striker leading the line in English football.
Mathys Tel needs to play with Dominic Solanke
The Premier League is unforgiving, and Tel as a lone striker has looked like a misuse of his profile. His speed, technical ability, and movement suggest he could be more effective playing off the wing rather than being a central focal point.
For that to work, he needs a proper target man alongside him. Someone like Solanke, who can use his physical presence to hold up play, would allow Tel the freedom to exploit spaces and make darting runs.
A tactical tweak could bring out another side of his game—one that Spurs are yet to see in full.
Mathys Tel is settling in well at Tottenham
While tactics are crucial, the environment around a player is just as important. So far, Tel appears to be settling well at Spurs, and much of that is down to Mathys Tel’s initial chat with Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian manager assured him of opportunities, and he has delivered on that promise.
The youngster seems happy in North London. He has even openly spoken about wanting to build relationships with key players, which is always a positive sign for a young player moving to a new league.
The early indications suggest he is comfortable at the club, and that bodes well for his development.
Mathys Tel could sign permanently for Tottenham
With regular minutes and an environment that suits him, the prospect of the young forward staying beyond his loan spell is very real. Ange Postecoglou stated that Spurs did not bring Tel for a few months.
There is strong belief within the club that Tel is a player worth investing in long-term. Some even view the Frenchman as a potential successor to Heung-min Son.
If Spurs can secure him permanently, given his age and potential, it could prove to be a smart piece of business.
Talks of Tel being Heung-min Son’s successor are too soon
Yes, Son is ageing, and his output this season—10 goals and 10 assists—is below his usual standards. Naturally, discussions about his long-term replacement have intensified, but branding Tel as his heir already feels premature.
Spurs have a habit of getting carried away with new signings, and the winter addition of Tel has inevitably led to whispers about him filling Son’s boots.
However, the reality is he has not done enough to warrant that comparison. He is still just 19, and stepping into Son’s role is a monumental task.
Ideally, Tottenham should look at a gradual transition, with Son staying for another season while Tel eases into a more prominent role.
But given the Korean’s supposed ‘decline,’ there seems to be an eagerness for an immediate fix. Tel might eventually be that player—but not right now.