Tottenham Hotspur‘s Mathys Tel was expecting to take the big step with the Premier League side this season and Roberto De Zerbi’s pursuit of the ‘right formula’ is impacting him.
The forward initially joined Spurs from Bayern Munich on loan in January 2025 and made his stay permanent later that year.
Last season, he managed four goals and two assists from 38 matches for Tottenham. The 21-year-old was a regular since the Italian arrived at the club in March.
The attacker has played 422 minutes from six appearances and is yet to score or assist this season. In fact, the north London club have endured a difficult run. They are yet to secure a win in the league and scored two goals from five matches.
Both came in their 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa in September, and Spurs are now bottom of the table.
Tel key part of RDZ’s plan at Tottenham
Galatasaray had reportedly tried to take Mathys Tel away from the English club in the summer. A move never materialised and Foot Mercato states the manager has faith in him.
Tel was expecting this to be a breakthrough season, also because of Roberto De Zerbi’s trust. That hasn’t happened as he and his side struggled. Therefore, he’s ‘once again experiencing’ a difficult season in London.
His poor form is mainly because of Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles, as the Italian is ‘still searching for the right formula’. This has ‘inevitably affected [his] individual confidence’.
The former Bayern Munich has enjoyed a good run while with France U21 during the last international break. He scored five goals and an assist from four matches and helped them qualify for the U21 European championship.
Tottenham man’s contrasting form for NT
He also took his overall tally to 17 goals for Les Bleuets. This makes Mathys Tel their joint top scorer, along with RC Lens’ Odsonne Édouard.
Foot Mercato states: ‘The contrast is therefore particularly striking for Tel, who already possesses significant experience despite being only 21 years old.’
It remains to be seen whether the player can replicate his France U21 form for the club.
The outlet immediately adds: ‘And that is probably the crux of the matter for Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian coach continues to place his trust in him at a Tottenham side that is going through another crisis, but Tel must now translate that trust into performances.’
Tel has time on his side to turn things around in London this season and would be hoping to continue his France U21 run at Spurs.
<**Mathys Tel’s senior club career statistics**, checked on **9 October 2026**. Tottenham figures include his initial loan spell. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”1″}“`html
| Club | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Years | Appearances | Minutes played | Goals | Assists | Minutes per goal |
| Rennes | 2021–2022 | 10 | 79 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Bayern Munich | 2022–2025 | 83 | 2,469 | 16 | 7 | 154 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2025–present | 64 | 3,367 | 7 | 3 | 481 |
| Total | Senior first-team career | 157 | 5,915 | 23 | 10 | 257 |
| All competitive senior first-team matches, including domestic and UEFA Super Cups. Excludes reserve-team matches, youth matches, internationals and friendlies, including the Sydney Super Cup. Minutes per goal rounded to the nearest whole minute. Figures checked on 9 October 2026. |
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