Mathys Tel has made it clear that he is unfazed by Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to 2024, stating he is “not scared about the future” despite experiencing back-to-back defeats in his first two appearances for the club. The young French forward, who joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich on the final day of the January transfer window—with an option for a permanent transfer—made his debut as a substitute in the team’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Just days later, Tel was handed his first start for the club in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa, a match that ended in a 2-1 defeat. Despite the disappointing result, the 19-year-old made an instant impact by scoring his first goal for Tottenham deep into stoppage time. Tel displayed his attacking instincts with a well-taken volley inside the box after a precise cross from Dejan Kulusevski, marking an early milestone in his Spurs career.
Looking ahead, Tel is expected to feature again when Tottenham take on Manchester United at home in the Premier League on Sunday evening. With the team struggling for form—currently sitting 14th in the table and now only remaining in one domestic cup competition—the young forward remains optimistic about the club’s future. He expressed his belief in the squad and coaching staff, emphasizing the need for resilience and determination.
“Honestly, we are sad about the results, but I know the quality of my teammates and the staff. I believe in them. I’m not scared about the future,” Tel told SPURSPLAY in an interview. “We play next week against Manchester [United], and we are going to do our jobs. We have to be better, to do much more on the pitch, and we will see what happens. Our mentality doesn’t move. We have to keep this energy and keep going until the end.”
Although his introduction to English football has coincided with a tough period for Tottenham, Tel insists that his own transition has been positive, particularly after opening his Spurs account so early in his spell. Scoring his first goal has provided him with a much-needed confidence boost, which he hopes will translate into more positive performances in the weeks to come.
“It’s a good start for me… without the defeats,” he admitted. “It’s something special for me to play my first game at Anfield, a semi-final, and now my debut and a goal. Honestly, that’s good for my confidence. My goal was good, I’m happy, but it’s a difficult day. We have to keep going. This game was not easy. The opponent was very aggressive. We fought until the end, but, as I said, it wasn’t easy. We can be better. We have to trust in ourselves and go to the end. That’s our mentality.”
Despite Tottenham’s ongoing struggles, Tel’s arrival has injected fresh energy into the squad. With his talent, composure, and confidence already on display, he could prove to be an important asset for Ange Postecoglou as the club looks to turn its season around. While his journey at Spurs has begun with setbacks, the French teenager’s unwavering belief and hunger to improve suggest that better days could be ahead for both him and his new club.
Further controversies”- Mathys Tel makes Tottenham future claim with defiant message on new teammates and club staff
