The situation at Tottenham Hotspur is reaching a breaking point, and manager Thomas Frank is quickly running out of time. After taking over from Ange Postecoglou last summer, the credit he earned has almost entirely vanished.
While the club and its supporters enjoyed the thrill of winning the Europa League last season, that joy has been replaced by a deep sense of frustration due to their poor form in the Premier League. The fans are exhausted by the inconsistency, and the atmosphere around North London has become increasingly tense.
Frank is set to lead his team into a massive Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, but many believe his future depends on a total shift in results. The club is currently in a difficult position domestically, and it has become clear that they need significant reinforcements before the January transfer window closes.
While the arrival of Conor Gallagher has provided some energy in the midfield, the defeat to West Ham United on Saturday highlighted a much bigger problem. Tottenham simply does not have enough goal-scoring threat to stay competitive at the top level.
The need for a new forward has become urgent because the injury list is growing. With both Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus sidelined, the team is lacking the firepower necessary to break down stubborn defenses.
Surprisingly, despite these shortages, Frank decided to remove young Frenchman Mathys Tel from the Champions League knockout squad. This move has caused a massive rift between the player’s camp and the manager.
Rumors are now swirling that the 20-year-old could be looking for a way out of the club after an internal disagreement. If Tel does leave, Spurs will be forced to find a replacement who can deliver immediate results.
According to recent reports, that replacement could be Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 28-year-old striker is reportedly looking for a move away from Selhurst Park, and Tottenham is one of several major clubs interested in his services.
While Juventus is also in the race, Spurs, Manchester United, and Aston Villa are all keeping a close eye on the situation. Mateta has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and physically dominant strikers in England over the last few seasons.
The arrival of Mateta would likely signal the end of Mathys Tel’s career at Tottenham. While Tel is clearly a gifted natural finisher, he is still raw and often lacks the maturity needed in the final third. He also prefers to drift toward the left wing, which complicates his role as a central striker.
Mateta, on the other hand, is a proven Premier League veteran who is currently at the peak of his powers. He is not just a goal scorer; he is a physical presence who can hold the ball up and involve his teammates in the build-up play.
Data shows that he wins an average of four duels per match, making him a nightmare for opposing defenders.
| Season | Appearances | Goals + Assists |
| 2025/26 | 22 | 8 + 0 |
| 2024/25 | 37 | 14 + 2 |
| 2023/24 | 35 | 16 + 6 |
| 2022/23 | 29 | 2 + 0 |
| 2021/22 | 22 | 5 + 1 |
| 2020/21 | 7 | 1 + 0 |
Mateta is currently on track to hit double digits in goals for the third year in a row. His determination and work rate have earned him high praise from analysts, some of whom consider him one of the most effective strikers in the league.
For a team like Tottenham that needs to win right now, Mateta offers a “plug-and-play” solution. Tel is undoubtedly a top talent for the future, but Spurs cannot afford to wait for him to polish his game while they are sliding down the table.
If the ENIC Group manages to pull off this signing, it could be the turning point the club desperately needs. Bringing in a striker with Mateta’s power and precision would take the pressure off the rest of the squad and provide a focal point for the attack.
As the January deadline approaches, the pressure is on the board to stop the rot and give the fans something to believe in again. Replacing a frustrated prospect with a battle-hardened goal machine might just be the move that saves their season.
