‘I thought’: Gary Lineker shares his thoughts on Mathys Tel after his first start and goal for Tottenham
Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have faced a challenging introduction to life at Tottenham, experiencing two defeats and early exits from both domestic cup competitions.
While they were undoubtedly aware of the club’s situation before signing, adjusting to a struggling side has made their early days at Spurs far from ideal. The team’s recent performances have only intensified scrutiny on Ange Postecoglou, who finds himself under increasing pressure as results continue to disappoint.
Despite the setbacks, Tel offered a glimmer of hope for traveling Spurs fans during the FA Cup loss to Aston Villa. Making his first start for the club, he showcased his attacking instincts by scoring in the 91st minute, a well-taken goal that highlighted his sharp movement and finishing ability.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed, with footballing greats Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards praising the young forward on The Rest Is Football podcast. Lineker acknowledged Tel’s impact, pointing out moments of quality and describing his goal as an exquisite finish.
Shearer emphasized the importance of proper service to the striker, noting that Dejan Kulusevski’s cross provided the perfect opportunity for Tel to capitalize. Richards echoed the sentiment, commending the teenager’s movement and ability to seize the moment despite his inexperience.
Tel’s emergence could prove crucial for Tottenham in the coming weeks, particularly as the team struggles for consistency. Son Heung-min, once the team’s talisman, has not been playing with his usual confidence, leaving a void in the attacking department.
The South Korean’s dip in form has further exposed the squad’s lack of depth, making Tel’s contributions even more significant as Spurs navigate this turbulent period. With injuries and poor results piling up, finding new sources of inspiration is essential for Postecoglou’s squad.
Another defeat has inevitably fueled criticism of the Tottenham manager, even if he has publicly defended his players following the Villa Park loss. Postecoglou has emphasized the difficulties of managing a squad stretched thin by injuries and fixture congestion, expressing admiration for the effort his players have put in.
However, some believe he has overlooked the core issues plaguing the team. The struggles are not necessarily down to young or fringe players like Djed Spence and Archie Gray; rather, frustration has been directed toward Daniel Levy for failing to reinforce the squad adequately and towards Postecoglou for his reluctance to adapt tactically.
Critics argue that the Australian manager’s commitment to an attacking philosophy, despite ongoing struggles, has left the team exposed. Calls for a more pragmatic approach have grown louder, particularly with Tottenham languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
The manager’s unwillingness to adjust his tactics has drawn scrutiny, with some suggesting that stubbornness, rather than squad limitations, is preventing the team from achieving better results.
Jamie O’Hara has been among the most vocal critics, advocating for Postecoglou’s dismissal. While sacking the manager may not be the immediate solution most Spurs fans desire, the pressure on the club’s hierarchy to address the ongoing crisis is mounting.
The question now is whether Levy will maintain faith in Postecoglou’s long-term vision or decide that a change is necessary to salvage what remains of the season.
With the Europa League now the only potential route to silverware, Tottenham’s leadership must decide how to proceed. Sticking with Postecoglou means backing his philosophy and giving him the resources to build a squad capable of executing his style effectively. However, if results continue to slide, the pressure to find an alternative solution will become impossible to ignore.