Mathys Tel has admitted that he felt "hurt" after learning he would be excluded from Tottenham's Champions League squad last week, but the young striker is determined not to allow the setback to affect his concentration as he strives to reach peak performance in a Spurs jersey.
The 20-year-old was told by Thomas Frank that he would not feature among the 22-man European squad alongside the sidelined James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, plus Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma. This came despite the France Under-21 international only completing his permanent switch to north London in a £30million transfer earlier this summer following his loan spell, which began last February.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
The ex-Bayern Munich talent's exclusion proved the most surprising given his substantial summer arrival fee as part of Frank's squad overhaul, though he has managed merely 19 minutes of Premier League action this campaign under the Danish manager.
Nevertheless, the gifted young attacker is managing the challenging circumstances with the same dignified approach as his new boss.
When questioned about how Frank delivered the disappointing verdict, Tel responded: "Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he simply told me his choice and then you could see the list appear on the networks.
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.
"It's clear that when you're not on a list, it definitely hurts, but I'm someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I've worked a lot on the mental aspect, so today it's definitely a disappointment, I would have liked to be there. But the coach's choice is the coach's choice, we can only respect it and we're going to work to come back in the best possible way."
When asked if the decision had prompted him to consider his future or simply motivated him to prove Frank wrong, Tel responded: "No matter, even if I was on the list, I would have had this desire, to be revengeful, to be able to be effective this season, to be able to start my season in the Premier League, because now, it's a first long season that begins because last year it was in the form of a six-month loan," the forward added.
"A desire [to go] elsewhere? I am under contract with Tottenham, so I am a Tottenham player and I will do my best to be able to play quite simply."