Not just Tel: Spurs’ “terrible” £80k-p/w flop now looks completely finished under Frank
Tottenham Hotspur have stepped into a fresh chapter in their modern history, with Thomas Frank now at the helm following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou at the close of the 2024/25 campaign.
Postecoglou, who had arrived in North London as something of a revolutionary figure, departed on a bittersweet note. While he capped his tenure with Europa League glory – delivering Spurs their first European trophy in decades – the club’s domestic struggles told another story. A disappointing Premier League finish ultimately overshadowed continental success, convincing the hierarchy that a change in direction was needed if Spurs were to truly compete with England’s elite.
That responsibility now rests on the shoulders of Frank. The 51-year-old Dane, formerly admired for his tactical intelligence and ability to maximize resources at Brentford, has been given both the backing of the board and the pressure of expectation. He has been tasked not only with building on Spurs’ European triumph but also with restoring their status as a consistent Premier League powerhouse.
To aid him, the club handed Frank a transfer war chest of over £100 million in the summer, allowing him to reshape key areas of the squad. Several signings were made to provide depth, competition, and the technical quality needed to match his vision of a fluid, adaptive side. Yet, despite that investment, one of those additions – Mathys Tel – now finds himself at a surprising crossroads.
Mathys Tel’s uncertain future at Tottenham
Tel’s arrival at Tottenham was initially seen as a coup. After impressing during a loan spell in the second half of last season, Spurs moved quickly to make his transfer permanent, paying around £30 million to Bayern Munich. At just 20 years old, the French forward was viewed as both a player for the present and an investment for the future – someone capable of becoming a cornerstone in Frank’s long-term project.
However, his pathway has already hit an obstacle. In a surprising development, Tel was omitted from Spurs’ 25-man Champions League squad, a decision that has raised eyebrows both inside and outside the club. Considering his pedigree – including two Champions League goals with Bayern at a very young age – many expected him to feature prominently in Europe this season.
Instead, Frank opted to prioritize other attacking options such as Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, and marquee summer signing Mohammed Kudus. While Tel has publicly downplayed rumors of an exit and expressed his commitment to fighting for his place, the disappointment will no doubt sting. Being overlooked at such a critical stage in his development could prompt questions about his long-term future in North London, especially if opportunities remain limited.
And Tel may not be the only player at risk of slipping down the pecking order under Frank’s new regime. Another long-serving squad member, Ben Davies, could also find himself edged toward the exit.
Ben Davies: loyal servant or expendable veteran?
Frank’s opening weeks in charge have already revealed his tactical flexibility. The Dane has alternated between a back four and a back five depending on the opposition, a versatility that has delivered mixed results. Spurs began with victories over Burnley and reigning champions Manchester City, before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth just before the international break.
While the system has allowed some players to thrive – Richarlison, for instance, has rediscovered his form with two goals and an assist in his opening three games – others have found themselves marginalized. Among them is veteran defender Ben Davies.
The 32-year-old has been an unused substitute in all of Spurs’ early fixtures, including the Super Cup final loss to PSG. Last season he featured regularly, making 28 appearances across all competitions, but under Frank, opportunities already appear scarce.
The Welshman faces formidable competition for minutes. Cristian Romero, newly appointed as club captain, has solidified his partnership with Micky van de Ven in central defense. Both players are integral to Frank’s plans, leaving Davies as little more than cover. His decline in influence is compounded by past criticisms of his performances – former pundit John Wenham once branded him “terrible” after a defeat to Wolves – and by the reality of his advancing years.
Financially, there is also logic in moving him on. Davies currently earns £80,000 per week, equating to over £4 million annually. For a player now likely to play a reduced role, that salary represents a significant burden on the wage bill. Offloading him could free up resources for younger talents more suited to Frank’s long-term vision.
That said, Davies has been an exceptional servant to Tottenham. Since joining from Swansea City in 2014, he has amassed more than 350 appearances and has been a dependable squad option for over a decade. His professionalism and loyalty cannot be questioned. But football is a ruthless business, and Frank’s mission to transform Spurs into serial contenders may require difficult, even unpopular, decisions.
A defining period for Frank’s Spurs
The situation surrounding both Mathys Tel and Ben Davies highlights the balancing act Thomas Frank must perform in his early months at Tottenham. He must integrate exciting young talent, maintain harmony in the dressing room, and make tough calls on seasoned veterans whose best days may now be behind them.
For Tel, the coming months will be about proving his worth in domestic competitions, showing his manager that leaving him out of Europe was a mistake. For Davies, it could be the final chapter of a long North London career – one that may soon end to make way for a new generation.
As Spurs fans have learned all too well, progress often comes with painful departures. If Frank is to succeed where his predecessors have fallen short, he will need both courage and conviction in reshaping the squad. The decisions made now – regarding Tel, Davies, and others – could define Tottenham’s trajectory for years to come.