‘Can Be Sold Tomorrow’ – Tottenham Fans hits out on ‘Terrible’ Duo Who Cost Them vs PSG
Tottenham Hotspur Let UEFA Super Cup Slip Away as PSG Punish Costly Substitutions
Tottenham Hotspur looked destined to lift the UEFA Super Cup in Udine, Italy, after storming into a commanding 2-0 lead over Paris Saint-Germain. But in a dramatic late twist, the French champions fought back with two goals in the dying minutes before sealing victory in a tense penalty shootout — and two Spurs substitutes have been singled out by supporters as the main culprits for the collapse.
It had all started so well for the north London side. Defender Micky van de Ven broke the deadlock with an unlikely opener, before fellow centre-back Cristian Romero doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. Spurs were not only ahead — they were in control, well on course to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet after their Europa League triumph over Manchester United earlier this year.
For much of the contest, Ange Postecoglou’s successor Thomas Frank had masterminded a tactical performance that completely nullified PSG’s attacking threats. Luis Enrique’s side were restricted to zero shots in the first half — a statistic almost unheard of for the reigning Champions League holders. Spurs’ defensive structure was solid, and on the counter, the pace and creativity of Mohammed Kudus caused constant problems for the French giants.
However, football has a cruel way of turning in an instant. As the match entered the closing stages, Spurs began to tire. Frank opted to freshen things up, replacing Kudus and Pape Matar Sarr with summer signing Archie Gray and forward Mathys Tel, presumably to see out the final minutes with fresh legs. Instead, the substitutions proved disastrous.
With PSG pushing forward, substitutes Kang-In Lee and Goncalo Ramos pounced, scoring in quick succession to level the match and force penalties. The momentum had shifted entirely. In the shootout, both Van de Ven and Tel missed their spot-kicks, before Nuno Mendes rifled home the decisive penalty past Guglielmo Vicario, handing PSG the trophy.
The aftermath saw an outpouring of frustration from Spurs fans on social media. Many directed their anger towards the changes that took Kudus and Sarr off the pitch. One supporter fumed: “I’m sorry but Gray and Tel shouldn’t have touched the pitch.” Another posted: “Spurs’ subs were shocking. Tel and Gray added nothing.”
Others were even more scathing, accusing the pair of being completely out of their depth in such a high-pressure moment. “Frank took off our best players for Gray and Tel and they were complete disasters,” one comment read. “Both were chasing shadows, and Tel looked totally lost.”
Gray, a 19-year-old England U21 international signed from Leeds United in the summer of 2024, was singled out by some who claimed he was “not at the required level.” Tel, who joined in a high-profile deal, also came under fire, with one fan writing bluntly: “Tel is c** as well.”*
Some fans placed the blame squarely on Frank’s shoulders, believing the substitutions threw away the win. “We lost that game when we took off Kudus and Sarr. Tel and Gray are not at the required level,” one supporter declared. Another accused the club of wasting over £80 million on the two players, calling them “absolute dross” and “garbage.”
Even in the heat of the moment, certain fans suggested it might already be time to cut losses. “Tel and Gray can be sold tomorrow,” one post read. Others took a slightly softer stance, admitting the players might improve but warning they have “a lot to prove” before they can be trusted in crucial fixtures.
For Spurs, the night will go down as a painful reminder that in football, dominance counts for nothing without composure in the closing stages. For Gray and Tel, the challenge will now be winning back the trust of supporters who feel their Super Cup dream slipped away the moment they stepped on the pitch.