No one is happier than the struggling player Thomas Frank underrated, who is now ready to shine under De Zerbi

No one is happier than the struggling player Thomas Frank underrated, who is now ready to shine under De Zerbi

Journalist Alasdair Gold recently shared his thoughts on the potential impact of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, suggesting that the Italian’s tactical philosophy could significantly benefit certain players in the squad — particularly Mathys Tel.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold explained that De Zerbi’s system revolves around quick ball movement, sharp attacking transitions, and high-tempo football. According to the journalist, the Italian manager typically demands fast combinations and aggressive forward play from his team, which could suit Tel’s natural strengths. The young forward thrives in open, fast-paced attacking situations, meaning De Zerbi’s style could provide him with the perfect environment to flourish.

Tel has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult season for Tottenham Hotspur, particularly when it comes to fitness. While many of his teammates have struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, the 20-year-old has managed to remain largely available for selection. However, staying fit did not immediately translate into regular minutes on the pitch.

Earlier in the season, Tel often found himself on the fringes of the starting lineup under former Spurs manager Thomas Frank. The Danish coach rarely named the French forward in his starting XI before his dismissal in February, leaving Tel to play a largely peripheral role in the team. His struggles for consistent game time were further highlighted when he was omitted from Tottenham’s UEFA Champions League squad for much of the league phase.

Frustration over his limited opportunities even led to controversy earlier in the campaign. Tel publicly suggested that Frank “didn’t like him,” comments that raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits alike. With minutes hard to come by, speculation began to grow during the January transfer window that the young forward could leave the club temporarily on loan.

Those rumours were particularly notable given that Tel had only recently committed his long-term future to Spurs. The attacker had joined permanently from FC Bayern Munich on a six-year contract after spending the second half of the previous season on loan in north London. Since arriving at Tottenham, Tel has made 51 appearances in all competitions and has contributed nine goals and assists combined — a respectable return considering the limited opportunities he has received.

De Zerbi Already Facing Squad Problems

While excitement surrounds De Zerbi’s arrival, the new Spurs boss is already dealing with a growing injury crisis before even overseeing his first training session. Tottenham’s problems deepened earlier this week when Pape Matar Sarr picked up an injury while on international duty.

The 22-year-old midfielder missed Senegal national football team’s match against Zambia national football team on Tuesday due to a shoulder issue, adding another name to Tottenham’s growing injury list. His absence means Spurs now have around ten players sidelined ahead of De Zerbi’s first match in charge.

Tottenham are scheduled to face Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light next weekend, and the Italian coach may be forced to reshuffle his squad significantly for the crucial fixture.

Several key players are expected to miss the game, including Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Guglielmo Vicario, and Dejan Kulusevski, all of whom are struggling with fitness issues.

There is, however, some hope that a few players could return in time to boost the squad. Tel himself, along with Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Ben Davies, are all pushing to be available in the coming weeks.

Their potential return could prove vital for Spurs, who are currently battling to avoid relegation. Tottenham sit 17th in the Premier League table with just seven matches remaining this season, meaning every point will be crucial as De Zerbi attempts to steer the club away from the drop zone.