Gary Lineker and Micah Richards believe Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is being played out of position and should be shifted to the left wing rather than being used as a central striker.
Their comments came after Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, where Tel struggled to make an impact in the centre-forward role. Both pundits feel that manager Thomas Frank’s tactical setup didn’t play to the young Frenchman’s strengths, and that the player’s performance reflected that mismatch.
Tel, who joined Tottenham from Bayern Munich earlier this year, was handed his third Premier League start in the match against Villa. All three of those starts have seen him deployed as a central striker.
Although he scored his first goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Leeds before the international break, his overall influence through the middle has been limited.
With Dominic Solanke sidelined by injury, Frank had little choice but to start Tel up front, while Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani returned to the bench after their respective fitness concerns.
During the game, Aston Villa’s manager Unai Emery set up his side to play with a high defensive line, something that many strikers thrive against. However, Tel seemed unable to take advantage.
Instead of timing his runs to break through on goal, he was often caught offside or found himself drifting into congested areas, making it easy for Villa’s defenders to contain him.
This lack of positional awareness, according to Lineker, showed that Tel might not yet have the instincts required to lead the line in the Premier League.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker said he preferred seeing Tel on the left-hand side, where his pace and direct style of play could be more effective.
“I preferred him, perhaps, on the left-hand side when I’m seeing him play there,” he explained. “He wasn’t making the natural runs of a striker that understands how to beat an offside trap, which is not that difficult when a team plays a high line with no pressure on the ball.”
Micah Richards agreed, adding that Tel’s movement and style suit a wider role better. “Yeah, exactly that,” Richards replied. “I echo your thoughts as well. I like him better off the left.”
Tel’s numbers so far haven’t helped his case for staying as Tottenham’s main striker. Since joining the North London club, the 19-year-old has scored only four goals in 28 appearances.
While his raw pace, dribbling ability, and energy are clear, his lack of natural striker instincts has been noticeable.
Tottenham saw enough potential in him, however, to turn his initial loan from Bayern Munich into a permanent £30 million transfer in the summer.
For Tel, adapting to the Premier League has been a challenge. At Bayern, he was often used as a wide forward or an impact substitute, where his speed and creativity in one-on-one situations made him dangerous.
Playing centrally at Tottenham demands a different skill set holding up the ball, timing runs behind defenders, and linking play with attacking midfielders areas where he still looks inexperienced.
Tottenham’s injury list hasn’t made things easier. Dominic Solanke, who started the season strongly, has been out since the 2-0 win at Manchester City in August.
Dejan Kulusevski, another key attacker, is still recovering from knee surgery following last season’s Europa League final and has yet to make an appearance this campaign. Those absences have left Frank with limited options, often forcing him to experiment with his front line.
Despite the current struggles, there’s no doubt Tel has talent. His technical ability, pace, and confidence on the ball have caught the eye, but Tottenham’s coaching staff will need to decide whether to continue developing him as a striker or move him back to the position where he looks most comfortable.
Lineker and Richards clearly feel the latter is the smarter choice allowing Tel to use his natural instincts, cut inside onto his stronger foot, and take on defenders, rather than trying to operate as a traditional No. 9.
For now, Tottenham fans will hope that as injured players return, Tel can be used more effectively in a role that suits him.
The French youngster remains one of the brightest prospects in European football, and if Frank can unlock his potential on the left wing, he could become a vital part of Spurs’ attack in the months ahead.
