Mathys Tel has shown glimpses of promise for Tottenham Hotspur, but with relegation looming, the Lilywhites cannot afford to wait for more than that.
This season has been a disaster for Spurs, who are on their third manager of the campaign already in Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi arrives with the momentous task of keeping the N17 outfit in the top flight, with them being just one point above the drop.
For Tel, he has rarely started this season in the Premier League, but under Igor Tudor, he was a regular feature. The Frenchman has recently picked up an injury, though.
Ahead of De Zerbi’s first Tottenham game, the Italian will have plenty of decisions to make for his starting lineup, and Tel will certainly be knocking on the door if deemed fit.
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Why Mathys Tel must speed up his Tottenham progress
Unfortunately for Tel this season, he may not have time to continue learning and growing as a player, with Spurs desperately needing results.
At just 20 years old, the Frenchman has shown bundles of talent, and his potential is certainly high.
However, in the relegation battle, “potential” may be a detriment. The stakes are enormously high, and Tottenham need ready-made players to step up.
At that level, Tel has yet to put himself on the same level as those calibre of players.
However, among players aged 20 or under, Tel has proven himself. No player in the Premier League at that age group has completed more key passes (20) than Tel, according to Sofascore.
Additionally, he is placed third for total duels won (74), second for successful dribbles (30) and third for drawing fouls (17).
In those stats, he does not place anywhere near the top when compared to every Premier League player.
All of those data points do highlight a player who can have a top career at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; however, he must age beyond his years in the coming weeks if he wants to help Spurs survive.
It would be silly to write Tel off, but decisions must be made in regard to the overall benefit of the team.
Tel may still have a part to play, but it is likely in a supporting role rather than a starting one, especially given that Spurs could be in the bottom three when they kick off in Sunderland.
Should Tel start vs Sunderland if he is fit?
We are still waiting to hear further about the extent of Tel’s injury after pulling out of international duty, but early reports state it is not serious.
This puts the 20-year-old back in contention to start against Sunderland.
In the reverse fixture against the Black Cats, Tel had a day to forget, struggling to impose himself on the game from the first whistle.
The French forward won just 40 per cent of his duels and had just 0.05 xG created. Additionally, in his 88-minute appearance, he attempted just 21 passes, holding an 86 per cent accuracy.
Overall, the style of play that the Black Cats use may not be suited to the type of player Tel is. De Zerbi only has to look back at this performance to see where the 20-year-old struggled.
De Zerbi is not flush with many options at the moment, but as it stands, he needs more from Tel if he does start.
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