Tottenham Signing Mathys Tel Comes Under Fire After “Nowhere Near Good Enough” Performance

Mathys Tel is facing renewed scrutiny at Tottenham Hotspur after a difficult performance in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, with former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara delivering a particularly blunt assessment of the young French forward.

Tel had started Tottenham’s opening three Premier League matches of the 2026/27 campaign, but his latest display increased questions over whether he can establish himself as a reliable attacking option under Roberto De Zerbi.

The criticism comes at a difficult moment for Tottenham. Spurs have made major investments in their squad, yet they began the campaign without a Premier League goal in their first three matches. Against Newcastle, they created opportunities but ultimately lost 2-0 after second-half goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa.

For Cambodian football fans following the Premier League, Tel’s situation is becoming one of the more interesting individual stories around Spurs.

Mathys Tel Struggles Against Newcastle

Tottenham actually started the match positively.

The hosts controlled much of the first half and created several opportunities, with Tel among the players involved in the attacking action. He received a cross-field pass from Mateus Fernandes before cutting inside and forcing Newcastle goalkeeper Lukás Horníček into a save.

That early moment suggested Tel could become a threat from the left.

However, his influence gradually disappeared.

Newcastle became more comfortable as the game progressed, while Tottenham struggled to turn possession into goals. Tel was eventually replaced by Mohammed Kudus in the 68th minute, shortly after Newcastle had taken the lead.

The statistics were also concerning.

Tel finished with six unforced errors on the ball, no chances created and no successful dribbles, according to the criticism published by Hotspur HQ. The analysis argued that his performance contributed to Tottenham’s inability to build an effective attack.

The Free-Kick That Triggered More Criticism

The moment that attracted the most attention came after Newcastle had gone 1-0 ahead.

With Tottenham awarded a promising free-kick, Tel stepped up to take responsibility. Instead, he slipped during the attempt and sent the ball dramatically away from the target.

It was an unfortunate moment, but the reaction was severe.

Tel appeared visibly frustrated with himself, punching the ground before teammates attempted to encourage him. Tottenham supporters responded with mocking applause and whistles, adding to the pressure surrounding the 21-year-old.

Only moments later, De Zerbi substituted him.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara was particularly critical during his talkSPORT reaction, arguing that Tel’s performance was not at the required level.

The comments have added fuel to an already growing debate about whether Tel can become a consistent Premier League performer.

A Difficult Night, But Not the Whole Story

It is important not to judge Tel’s entire Tottenham career on one poor match.

The Frenchman remains only 21 and has shown flashes of quality since arriving in North London.

Against Newcastle, the problem was consistency rather than a complete lack of ability.

The first-half save from Horníček demonstrated that Tel can create danger when he receives the ball in the right areas. However, Tottenham need him to influence matches more regularly, particularly when their other attacking players are struggling.

Tottenham Need More From Their £30m Forward

Tel’s situation carries additional weight because Tottenham made his transfer permanent in June 2025.

Spurs initially brought him from Bayern Munich on loan, before negotiating a permanent transfer. Tottenham confirmed that he signed a contract running until 2031, while BBC Sport reported the fee at around £30 million.

That investment means expectations are naturally higher.

Tel is no longer simply a young loan player learning the Premier League.

He is a Tottenham player who is expected to contribute.

The club’s own profile describes him as a versatile forward capable of playing centrally or in wide positions. He made 38 appearances in all competitions during 2025/26, scoring four Premier League goals.

Those numbers show why Tottenham will want more from him.

De Zerbi Still Has a Decision to Make

One of the most interesting elements of Tel’s situation is De Zerbi’s apparent willingness to continue trusting him.

Despite increased competition for attacking positions, Tel remained a starter for the opening matches of the season.

That suggests the Italian coach still believes the young forward can become an important part of his system.

The challenge is turning that faith into performances.

De Zerbi has repeatedly emphasized that Tottenham need to improve collectively rather than relying on individual players to solve every problem.

That is particularly relevant because Spurs have undergone another major squad rebuild.

Tel is competing with players such as Savio, Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk for attacking positions.

If his performances do not improve, competition for his place will become increasingly intense.

Tottenham’s Attacking Problems Are Bigger Than Tel

It would be unfair to place all of Tottenham’s attacking problems on Tel.

Against Newcastle, Spurs had 17 shots and six on target, according to the match data, while Newcastle scored twice from only two shots on target.

That tells an important part of the story.

Tottenham were not completely dominated.

They simply failed to convert their opportunities.

The same issue was visible in the opening weekend, when Spurs lost 3-0 to Brentford. They then responded with a 5-1 League Cup victory over Charlton, before suffering another league defeat against Newcastle.

Tel’s individual performance is therefore part of a much wider problem.

The team needs more goals, better decision-making and greater attacking efficiency.

Tel Must Respond on the Pitch

The best response for Tel will not come through interviews or social media.

It will come through his performances.

At Bayern Munich, Tel was once viewed as one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking prospects. He made 83 appearances for Bayern and scored 16 goals before moving permanently to Tottenham.

His talent has never really been the question.

The issue is whether he can translate that talent into consistent Premier League production.

That requires better decision-making, improved efficiency in one-on-one situations and greater composure when chances arrive.

Can Mathys Tel Turn the Situation Around?

Absolutely.

At 21, Tel still has plenty of time to develop.

His versatility remains valuable, and De Zerbi’s attacking philosophy could eventually give him the freedom to use his pace and technical ability more effectively.

But the competition will not wait forever.

Tottenham have invested heavily in their attack, and the club’s ambitions require players to perform at a high level consistently.

Tel therefore needs to turn moments of potential into tangible production.

A goal, an assist or a decisive performance could quickly change the narrative.

Football criticism can be brutal, particularly after a disappointing result. But young players also have the opportunity to change that story very quickly.

Final Verdict: Tel Has Plenty to Prove

Mathys Tel’s difficult display against Newcastle has placed him under another wave of scrutiny.

The missed free-kick became the defining image of his afternoon, while his lack of successful dribbles and chance creation made the criticism even stronger.

Yet it would be premature to write off the French forward.

He remains young, talented and under contract with Tottenham until 2031. The club clearly saw enough potential to make his transfer permanent, and De Zerbi continues to give him opportunities.

The next step belongs to Tel.

If he can respond with stronger performances, the Newcastle disappointment could become nothing more than a difficult night in his development. If the struggles continue, however, competition for his place at Tottenham will become increasingly difficult to ignore.

For Spurs supporters in Cambodia and around the world, this is now a player worth watching closely. 🔥