Mathys Tel has continued to cause concern at Tottenham after an underwhelming loan spell last season.
Spurs made Tel’s transfer permanent over the summer, signing him for a fee of around £30million from Bayern Munich.
The Frenchman started in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night, but fluffed his lines on several occasions.
Despite positive words from his manager, Thomas Frank, the 20-year-old has it all to do in North London.
Thomas Frank praises Mathys Tel after Doncaster Rovers disaster class
Tel has endured a torrid time at Tottenham, and things have shown no signs of improving anytime soon.
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The forward started in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night in a match that provided him with the opportunities to thrive.
However, the France under-21 international delivered an uninspiring performance and was unable to score against League One opposition.
Indeed, Tel had multiple chances to score against Doncaster and could have had a hat-trick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“I don’t think he’s had a bad run, if I’m honest,” Frank said on 24 September when asked about the 20-year-old’s display.
“He played striker against West Ham, which I think he did quite well. Worked very hard for him to arrive in the right areas, which I think he did today. In terms of performance, that was a step up.
“Then we can look at the end product to score the goal, but the performance to arrive in the box, I was very happy with. Just close with the first ball from Brennan, ready for the cutback.
“Second half got in there on two other good situations and had a nice shot. I think it was a step up in terms of performance.”
Mathys Tel has it all to do at Tottenham
While Tel had his moments in North London last season, the overriding feeling was that he was not up to standard.
However, the vision for the Frenchman is probably that he is a player for the future, although even that looks like a stretch right now.
The 20-year-old’s season got off to the worst possible start against PSG, when he came on as a late substitute, giving away a dangerous free-kick before missing his penalty in the shootout.
Even though his manager has given him further opportunities to impress, he has struggled against weak opposition in West Ham and Doncaster.
Understandably, confidence is low after Frank left Tel out of his Champions League squad, along with Yves Bissouma.
The Dane has backed his player and is certainly trying to protect him rather than dent his confidence, but what he has said is just plain wrong.
Tel is on a bad run; he did not do quite well against the Hammers, and it was not a ‘step up’ in performance against Donny.
With doubts looming over the Frenchman, the most obvious solution would be to loan him out in January.