Jamie O’Hara brands ‘ridiculous’ Tottenham star ‘not good enough’ after late PSG collapse
Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Udine on Wednesday evening promised to be a stern test for Thomas Frank’s new-look side—and it delivered every ounce of drama. Unfortunately for Spurs, it ended in familiar disappointment.
At the Bluenergy Stadium, Tottenham were widely considered underdogs against the reigning Champions League holders. Yet, Frank’s men defied expectations for the majority of the game. Compact in shape, disciplined in their approach, and physically imposing, Spurs looked sharper and fitter than Luis Enrique’s PSG—a team that had endured a disrupted pre-season. From the outset, Tottenham pressed with intent, matched PSG in technical exchanges, and forced the Parisians into uncomfortable positions.
That dominance paid off as Micky van de Ven and captain Cristian Romero struck on either side of half-time, putting Spurs into a commanding 2–0 lead inside 55 minutes. For nearly three-quarters of the match, Tottenham were the better side—winning duels, controlling the tempo, and frustrating PSG’s star-studded lineup. But football is often about fine margins, and in the closing stages, those margins turned against the North Londoners.
Two late strikes from PSG substitutes Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos within the final minutes dragged the game into a penalty shootout. From there, the French champions held their nerve, emerging 4–3 victors from the spot to lift the Super Cup trophy—leaving Spurs with nothing but regret.
O’Hara Points the Finger at Mathys Tel
While there were plenty of positives in Tottenham’s performance, one player found himself at the centre of post-match criticism: 20-year-old forward Mathys Tel.
The Frenchman, who joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich in January before making the move permanent for £30 million in June, has had a mixed time in North London. During his half-season loan spell, Tel made 20 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals, but often struggled to hold down a consistent starting spot. He was an unused substitute during Spurs’ Europa League final triumph over Manchester United in May.
Despite his modest output, Tottenham opted to secure Tel on a six-year contract this summer, fending off interest from several European clubs. The belief within the club’s hierarchy is that Tel has a high ceiling and could develop into one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards in the coming years.
However, Wednesday night did not help his case. Introduced in the 79th minute with Spurs 2–0 up, Tel’s role was clear—stretch PSG’s defence on the counter-attack and help relieve pressure. Instead, Tottenham’s attacking threat waned, and Tel struggled to make an impact in open play. The real flashpoint came during the penalty shootout. After Micky van de Ven’s attempt was saved, Tel stepped up with the chance to keep Spurs in the fight. He sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way but dragged his shot agonisingly wide of the post. PSG’s Nuno Mendes then converted the winning spot-kick to seal Tottenham’s fate.
O’Hara’s Brutal Assessment
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara did not hold back in his assessment of Tel’s contribution.
“The penalty was a ridiculous penalty. He sat the keeper down, saw him go down, and still put it wide,” O’Hara fumed.
“Look, I’m not going to sit here and hammer Tel because he’s missed a penalty—we’ve all missed a penalty. I’ve missed a penalty. But I agree, it’s a terrible signing. I don’t think he’s good enough. But we’ve signed him, so we’ve got to deal with him.
“Mathys Tel isn’t good enough. Sorry, he isn’t good enough!”
While O’Hara acknowledged that missed penalties happen to everyone, his wider criticism pointed to a deeper concern—whether Tel possesses the ability, consistency, and mentality to thrive at Tottenham in the short term.
Why Spurs Must Take the Long View on Tel
Frank’s decision to turn to Tel late in the game was a calculated one—his pace and directness could have exploited PSG’s high defensive line. But the plan fizzled. The young Frenchman failed to hold the ball in key moments, relieving PSG of little pressure, and his penalty miss compounded an already frustrating evening.
Yet, it is important to remember that Tottenham did not sign Tel purely for instant impact. At 20 years old, he is still raw, still learning, and still developing his decision-making at elite level. Those within the club see flashes of a future star—his speed, dribbling, and ability to get into dangerous positions make him a potential long-term asset.
That said, the pressure on Tel will be enormous, especially after the departure of club legend Son Heung-min to LAFC earlier this summer. Spurs fans are desperate for someone to step into that attacking void, but putting the weight of that expectation solely on Tel’s shoulders could hinder rather than help his progression.
The Need for Experienced Reinforcements
For Daniel Levy and the Tottenham recruitment team, the solution may lie in striking a balance—supporting Tel’s growth while bringing in an experienced forward who can deliver consistently in the here and now. This would not only ease the pressure on the young Frenchman but also give Frank more tactical flexibility as Spurs juggle domestic and European commitments this season.
Tel’s penalty miss in Udine will sting for a while, but in the broader picture, it is just one chapter in what Spurs hope will be a long and successful story. The key will be patience—from the fans, from the coaching staff, and from Tel himself. For now, Tottenham must quickly regroup, learn from the late collapse against PSG, and focus on ensuring moments like this do not define their season.