Everyone is blaming Mathys Tel for Tottenham's real problem

Mathys Tel is coming off what just might be the worst two game stretch of his entire career, as the Tottenham Hotspur left winger has been literally stumbling over himself and making his best (worst?) Richarilson impression since the Brazilian international was banished from Roberto De Zerbi's starting lineup ahead of a hopeful transfer (that collapsed anyway).

Since joining Tottenham permanently last summer - or even before that on loan from Bayern Munich - Tel has been impressive and has shown real upside as a potential future star. And De Zerbi has taken a liking to the young French international. It all seemed to be clicking for Tel, too, this past summer in the preseason friendlies, as Tel was actually Spurs best overall player.

That has all gone out the window now. Facing better competition in the likes of Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Tel has been totally shut down on the left flank, and Tottenham have been literally goalless in all three of the young forward's starts on the left hand side.

Mathys Tel is a victim of Tottenham's errors

But while Mathys Tel is being questioned heavily by Tottenham Hotspur supporters, with some even wondering if it is time to just move on from the former Bayern man entirely, he is really just a victim of poor planning that still has not been rectified.

Because while Tottenham, yes, did sign Omar Marmoush and Savio from Manchester City this summer transfer window, Tel starting on the left wing and having too much on his plate too soon in his development is nothing but a reflection of the poor recruitment and transfer strategy that already existed at the club.

Tottenham should have signed an experienced left winger in the summer 2025 or winter 2026 transfer window after selling Son Heung-min to MLS. They had ample opportunities and options, including Ademola Lookman.

And even this past summer transfer window, Tottenham took way, way too long to sign Omar Marmoush and Savio. They could have easily signed those two for the same price earlier, and they would have been integrated to start the 2026/27 Premier League season instead of being forced to utilize Tel as the starter every week.

Tel is not ready yet, and Tottenham fans already knew that last season. That does not, of course, excuse how terrible Tel has been, but it contextualizes the problem and emphasizes that the real problem behind his struggles is that Spurs took too long - and probably did too little, seeing as how they missed out on Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye - to solve their attacking malaise.