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Mathys Tel: Thomas Frank's final decision as Spurs boss could be his worst
Tom Weber
- Updated: 19 Jan 2026 17:15 GMT
- 9 min read
Analysis
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has left Mathys Tel dumbfounded with his decision to omit him from Spurs' Champions League squad for the second time this season.
The France youth international has struggled to make his mark in North London. Initially signed on loan from Bayern Munich, his move was made permanent in the summer for €35 million after Tottenham managed to renegotiate his price. He was originally slated to cost as much as €60m.
Although Tel has featured 20 times so far this term, he has started just six Premier League games. He is known to be unhappy with his lack of playing time and has fielded interest from plenty of suitors.
Current ETV
Mathys Tel
F (C), M (L)
Tottenham
Mathys Tel
F (C), M (L)
Tottenham
ETV Range
€44.6M - €54.6M
Perhaps because of this, under-fire Spurs boss Frank has opted to start the 20-year-old in his last four games. Tottenham don't really want to lose the prospect as he remains highly rated despite his recent struggles.
However, Spurs may ultimately not have much of a choice. Frank, who could be sacked after Tuesday's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, has now once again disappointed Tel.
Frank is pushing Tel out of Tottenham
In the summer, the Dane caused widespread surprise when he omitted Tel from his Champions League squad, a decision that did not go down well with the player.
Despite this, Tel was able to belatedly make his Champions League debut for Spurs in December, when a little-known UEFA rule allowed them to name him in the squad for the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague because of Dominic Solanke's long-term injury.
However, Solanke is now back, and Spurs have reshuffled their squad again, replacing Tel with the former Bournemouth star. The 20-year-old thus once again finds himself on the outside looking in.
Naturally, this has done little to allay his growing frustration. On the contrary, Ben Jacobs reports that Tel is "surprised and disheartened," while Fabrizio Romano states that the player's camp is furious.
The timing of this could hardly have been worse. In recent days, it has been reported by Sky Germany that Paris FC are interested in Tel. This is notable for two reasons.
For one, PFC have basically unlimited funds. The ambitious Ligue 1 side are backed by the billionaire Arnault family and Red Bull. But perhaps even more worrying for Spurs is that Marco Neppe is a director at PFC.
He was the man who, alongside Hasan Salihamidzic, showed immense faith in Tel when Bayern Munich signed him from Stade Rennais at a time when he had played just 10 games in senior football.
Returning to France to become the face of an ambitious project, while working together with a familiar face, will hold appeal. Even more enticing is the fact that PFC have promised Tel that he will be a No.9.
This has been one of his biggest gripes in recent years. Tel is insistent that he is a centre-forward, not a winger. Despite this, he has continually been played out of position. This is also why he wants to leave Tottenham.
To be sure, Tel has been a disappointment in North London and, with Solanke back fit, some will feel that he would not be a big loss. However, according to SciSports, letting Tel go would be a big mistake.
Skill
Potential
- Mathys Tel
- Dominic Solanke
The data analytics firm believes that Tel can become a better player than Solanke has ever been at any point in his career. While the 28-year-old is a more refined player right now, Tel has the potential to outshine him.
SciSports analyses hundreds of data points to calculate a player's SciSkill and potential. Tel, it is thought, can hit a SciSkill rating of 83.8 if he fulfils his potential, while Solanke previously peaked at 80.6.
Pushing him out of the club could therefore prove to be a disastrous decision. Frank hasn't got many things right so far as Spurs boss, but his latest - and potentially final - decision could be his worst one yet.
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