De Zerbi to Tel: “I’m counting on you”

Tottenham Hotspur‘s French midfielder Mathys Tel reacts to a missed chance during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton

With the (supposed) imminent incoming transfer of Savinho, it was an open question just how much match time Mathys Tel would get in Tottenham Hotspur’s lineup next season. Tel was a fixture in the starting XI in the back half of the Premier League, but much of that was by necessity — with Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons both still out long term with injuries, there simply wasn’t anyone else who could really play at left back.

Tel was inconsistent, but that’s not uncommon with young Premier League players, and Tel definitely fits into that category. With the amount of change coming under Roberto De Zerbi, there was a thought that Tel could be sidelined in favor of new signings. But that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.

According to Alasdair Gold at Football.London, De Zerbi had a conversation with Tel before he left for the summer break and said that he was counting on him next season, and has no intention of selling the young Frenchman this summer.

In some ways the trial by fire Tel got at the end of last season might be good for him — starting regularly for Spurs in a relegation battle is a crucible, and the hope is that Tel can build upon that experience to kick on and jump up a level next season. As far as rotation, while we don’t know when Odobert will come in, the addition of Savinho will give Spurs options on either flank, and it’s possible we’ll see more of Mikey Moore at least in the first half of the season until a few of the injured players come back.

I’m not sure that De Zerbi’s comments completely settle the issue of Tel’s future — a lot will depend on how he does to start next season and whether he’s going to be worth keeping around long term, or if he’ll eventually be supplanted by a more experienced left winger. But on another level I’m glad to see De Zerbi put an arm around a young player who just got thrown into the fire and came out slightly singed on the other side. That’ll do a lot for his confidence heading into what is hopefully an important season ahead.