Tottenham player once linked with January move could become crucial under De Zerbi after manager’s revelation – opinion
Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is set for a dramatic career revival under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, just months after the young Frenchman was linked with a January exit.
The 20-year-old, who joined Spurs permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million last summer, has endured a nightmare season.
Despite being a fan favorite, Tel was controversially omitted from the club’s Champions League squad for the majority of the league phase and saw his minutes severely limited under Frank’s pragmatic regime.
This resulted in speculations regarding a January exit, with Tel threatening to leave mid-season.
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De Zerbi: “I wanted Tel at Marseille”
Speaking in his first press conference since succeeding Igor Tudor, Roberto De Zerbi made it clear that Tel is a central part of his plans to drag Tottenham out of the relegation zone.
The Italian revealed a long-standing admiration for the forward, disclosing that he had previously tried to sign him during his tenure at Marseille.
“I think we have a lot of very good attackers and we have to help them,” De Zerbi told reporters. “Like I know Mathys Tel, I wanted him in Marseille when I was there.
“Xavi Simons is a big talent, Richarlison and Solanke you maybe know better than me, but we have to put them in the best condition we can.”
Tel was unhappy under Thomas Frank
With 3 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this term, Tel has struggled for rhythm, but remains a rare bright spark for a side currently sitting in 18th place.
The manager’s comments provide closure to a turbulent period for Tel, who recently made the stunning claim that Thomas Frank “didn’t like him.”
Speaking in March, Tel admitted he “disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team” and felt “confused” by his constant exclusion.
He said (via ESPN UK): “I disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team, and he didn’t like me for it. He didn’t look to try and fix things.
“I was confused why I was on the bench a lot, I felt I could help the team more than I was.”
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