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Mathys Tel has opened up about being subject to racist abuse on social media after Tottenham’s UEFA Super Cup final.

The Frenchman did not have the best of outings in Udine against PSG, with his poor night being capped off by a penalty miss as the Parisians emerged victorious in the shootout.

Tel came in for plenty of criticism on the back of his performance against PSG, but some comments crossed the line, with the Tottenham man being on the end of racist abuse.

Mathys Tel’s Spurs teammates came out in his support publicly following the abuse, and the 20-year-old has now revealed what impact those comments had on him.

Mathys Tel reveals how he reacts to racist abuse after Tottenham penalty miss

The Spurs fans also came to Tel’s support in large numbers and the youngster has now explained what he thought about the abhorrent comments directed at him.

The Tottenham Hotspur star revealed that he was not overly shocked, as this was not the first time in his career he had been subject to such vile comments.

He suggested that the social media companies need to play a more active role in combating this scourge of people abusing online under the protection of anonymity.

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When asked how he felt when targeted with racist abuse, Tel told The Telegraph: “I was not very shocked, but these types of bad comments still hurt you. It was the same at Bayern Munich after a game on social media. That’s why, today, I just try to protect myself – don’t read, don’t listen, just be focused on what I do. Work, work, work every day.

“I think the social media companies need to do more because social media is very open. So if I want to be a bad guy, I just need to create an account with another name, and I can say a lot of bad things. It’s too easy to be disrespectful to a lot of people. So, yeah, just try to protect us, protect the kids, protect everybody because nobody deserves that.”

Tel opens up on his tough upbringing

The forward admitted that his resilience comes from his tough childhood in Sarcelles, where he had no option but to keep fighting.

Tel admitted that those experiences have held him in good stead in his efforts to cope with the ups and downs of a career at the highest level of the game.

The Tottenham forward added: “I was born in the ghetto, Sarcelles, so the mentality is very, very strong. Every situation that I’ve faced until now has helped me to become better, to be a better person, better player. If you want to be a great player, a great person, your mentality needs to be great and very strong.

“I don’t go [to Sarcelles] anymore. But when I was there, the mentality was don’t let anybody beat you. If you play football, if you fight in the street, it doesn’t matter anywhere. Just don’t let anybody put your head down. That’s why I’m thinking like that. I don’t let anybody put my head down. If I don’t have success, I will come back again.

“Was it difficult [growing up there]? I would say 50-50. Difficult because it’s always about challenging yourself. You are going to go this way, people don’t like you. You are going to go the other way, people like you. But it might not be the right way. So you don’t really know where you need to go. That’s why my family was always behind me because if you don’t have your family behind you, it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

Tottenham Hotspur are not alone in their pursuit of one of Brazil’s most exciting young wingers, as Premier League rivals and European giants start circling ahead of the January window.

Tottenham Hotspur have been keeping an eye on Rayan Viktor in recent months and even sent scouts to watch the electric Brazilian winger, who has been turning heads.

Clubs across Europe have taken note of his performances, with several Premier League sides just as keen to land the exciting wide man.

Rayan is said to have a release clause worth £34 million (€40m), although reports suggest the fee could be negotiated down to around £25.7 million (€30m).

Tottenham and Chelsea hold talks with Rayan Viktor’s agent

TeamTalk have now provided a further update on the winger’s future with their latest report. According to the publication, it is understood that Tottenham have already been in talks with Rayan Viktor’s agent as they continue to monitor his development.

However, Spurs are not the only ones to have approached Viktor’s representatives, with Chelsea also making a similar move.

Meanwhile, other rivals, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are said to be keeping tabs on the situation as it develops, leaving Spurs with fierce competition for the youngster’s signature.

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Rayan is seen as the next big thing in Brazil, and a national team call-up is understood to be looming for the 19-year-old. Given the youngster’s meteoric rise in recent months, TeamTalk has claimed that January could very much spark a bidding war for the wide man who could be available for less than £34 million.

Spurs could use Rayan Viktor’s versatility

Tottenham could do with a left-winger who is as electric and direct as Rayan Viktor, although the Brazilian’s preferred position is out on the right.

His versatility, however, could be a major asset at Tottenham, as Rayan is capable of operating effectively on the left wing – an area Thomas Frank is believed to be keen on strengthening.

Tottenham Hotspur have been strongly linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo, but has the arrival of Fabio Paratici changed things?

Fabio Paratici has since resumed his role as Sporting Director at Tottenham Hotspur following his reappointment early last week.

The Italian director is no stranger to Spurs transfer dealings, having worked closely with former club chairman Daniel Levy before serving his 30-month football ban.

Now back in the director’s booth, Paratici’s attention has turned towards building Thomas Frank’s Spurs squad, with the January transfer window expected to mark the beginning of his new chapter at the club.

Tottenham still tracking Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo

According to Dean Jones, writing for TeamTalk, it is understood that Fabio Paratici’s return to Tottenham Hotspur has not altered the club’s stance on Antoine Semenyo.

Tottenham were interested in the Bournemouth forward last summer but ultimately fell short in their pursuit, with the Cherries tying him down to a long-term deal until 2030.

Paratici’s appointment might have led many to assume that Spurs would redirect their scouting attention back towards Italian markets, yet Semenyo remains firmly on their radar.

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The Ghanaian international is currently valued between £80-100 million by Bournemouth, though that figure could shift depending on developments in the coming months, with murmurs of a release clause still circulating.

Sources close to Bournemouth have consistently denied the existence of such a clause, but scepticism persists within the game.

Several clubs are now believed to be probing the details of Semenyo’s contract, and Tottenham are among those exploring the full picture. It is understood that Paratici is prepared to take the lead should an opportunity to move arise.

Spurs face competition for Antoine Semenyo

Tottenham are not alone in their pursuit of the Bournemouth forward, with several Premier League sides also monitoring his progress.

The 25-year-old has started the season impressively, registering six goals and three assists in the league so far, a return that has not gone unnoticed by top-flight rivals.

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are reported to be among the clubs interested, with the Red Devils expected to provide serious competition for Semenyo’s signature should Tottenham decide to make a formal approach.

A supercomputer has revealed Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of a victory as Thomas Frank’s side return to UEFA Champions League action against Monaco on Wednesday night.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign this Wednesday, when they take on French outfit Monaco in matchday three.

It is an away cup tie for the Lilywhites, who will be eager to respond after being held to a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Bodo Glimt.

Thomas Frank’s side will be desperate to return to winning ways in Europe, knowing that any slip-up could complicate their hopes of progressing from the league phase.

The French outfit, however, has shown they can compete at this level, and Spurs will know they cannot afford to take anything for granted.

Supercomputer predicts a tight victory for Tottenham against Monaco

Indeed, Spurs will need to be at their best against the Ligue 1 side if they are to secure a victory, and Opta’s AI prediction has still tipped Tottenham to do just that.

The supercomputer’s forecast suggests a tight affair, with Tottenham handed a 41.2% chance of winning, compared to Monaco’s 33.8%.

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With 20 points being enough for automatic qualification from the Champions League league phase last term, Thomas Frank will understand the importance of picking up more wins as early as possible.

Monaco are no pushovers either, having managed a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Stade Louis II, impressively coming from behind to do so.

Past meetings and key absences ahead of Monaco vs Tottenham

It does not entirely come as a surprise that both sides are evenly matched, given their previous encounters have seen either team come out on top.

Tottenham did get the better of Monaco during the 2015/16 Europa League campaign, but the French side responded by doing the double over Spurs the following season, spoiling what was a long-awaited return to Champions League football.

Mathys Tel has spoken about his mindset after missing a penalty for Tottenham Hotspur in the Super Cup final, and Spurs fans will love what the forward has to say.

Spurs put in a superb performance in the Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, but they threw away the result towards the end, conceding two late goals, which took the contest to a shootout.

PSG emerged on top on penalties, and Tel came in for plenty of criticism for his performance and his penalty miss in the final.

The Spurs youngster was also subject to racist abuse online after the Super Cup, but he has now made a bold statement about taking spotkicks in the future.

Mathys Tel vows to score his next penalty for Tottenham

It would be easy for the 20-year-old to shy away from taking penalties on the back of the trauma against PSG, but the forward’s mentality is exactly the opposite.

The Frenchman has assured Spurs fans that he will score the next penalty he takes for the club on the back of his miss in the final.

When asked about that penalty miss, Tel told The Telegraph: “I will take a penalty again, and if we go again to play in the Super Cup next year, I will take it again. No fear.

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“I love Kobe Bryant, and I always read what he did, and he was always about trying, trying. You need to try to have success. You are going to make mistakes to have success, so I’m OK with mistakes. I’m OK if I don’t score goals because I’m going to be back and next time I will score.”

Tel makes an admission about taking a penalty for France’s Under-21s

Not long after his miss penalty in the Super Cup, the former Bayern Munich man stepped up to convert a spot-kick for France’s Under-21s.

He admitted that some negative thoughts were going through his mind when he stepped up so soon after his experience in Udine.

When asked if the miss with Tottenham made him think twice about taking a penalty so soon afterwards, Tel responded: “Yes. But I was like ‘I will try again another time. I will try again, I will try again’. So that’s what I did.

“For sure, the pressure was there, but it’s always about the confidence. In my mind, I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to miss the shot again’. So, I shot and scored.”

Tottenham’s head of scouting, Rob Mackenzie, has revealed that everyone at Spurs is overjoyed that they were able to beat one of the biggest clubs in the world to the signing of a teenager.

Spurs have some outstanding young players in their squad at the moment, and they will be hoping that Thomas Frank is the man to help those players fulfil their potential.

In fact, Tottenham have cited Frank’s ability to improve players as one of the main reasons for his appointment, and the early signs are certainly positive.

Some pundits have said that one Spurs youngster has already made a big step up under Frank, and it appears that there is a lot of excitement at the club surrounding the teenager.

Tottenham official makes Lucas Bergvall admission

Rob Mackenzie has now described Lucas Bergvall as a ‘genuine generational talent’ and has spoken highly of the way the Swede carries himself off the pitch.

Tottenham’s head of scouting admits that managing to beat Barcelona to the 19-year-old’s services is seen as a real coup at Hotspur Way.

Mackenzie told Training Ground Guru: “We were able to convince him to join us ahead of Barcelona, which was a fantastic coup for the club. I think maybe the opportunities to sign these guys in the windows are getting smaller and smaller, and you have to be able to react (with) less information faster.

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“I think in the case of Bergvall, he is a genuine generational talent and a fantastic human being. You realise that as soon as you meet him, this is different. Here is a kid who has the humility of a 19-year-old at the time, but who looks you in the eyes and gives you the impression that this guy can hold his own.”

What Barcelona are thinking about missing out on Bergvall

It is well known that Tottenham hijacked Barcelona’s deal for Lucas Bergvall back in January of 2024, with the midfielder eventually arriving at North London from Djurgarden last summer.

According to reports, Barcelona thought they had a deal for Bergvall wrapped up before Spurs swooped for him at the last moment.

Jermaine Jenas has picked his favourite midfield partner at Tottenham, and the answer may leave some surprised.

Jenas spent eight years at Tottenham after arriving from Newcastle United in 2005 and made 202 appearances for the Lilywhites across those years.

The former England man played with some outstanding midfielders during his time in North London, including the likes of Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart and Scott Parker.

However, he named someone else when asked who his favourite midfield partner was at Spurs.

Jermaine Jenas names former Tottenham midfielder above Luka Modric

Jenas has picked Michael Carrick as the one he enjoyed playing alongside the most during his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

Carrick spent two years at White Hart Lane after arriving from West Ham in 2004, and he went on to be a key part of a very successful Man United team following his switch to Old Trafford in 2006.

When asked who he enjoyed playing alongside the most at Spurs, Jenas told The Beast Mode On podcast on TikTok: “I think from playing with him at Spurs, seeing Michael at the peak of his powers controlling midfields in the way that he did, it gave everyone else more freedom. It gave Davids more freedom; it gave me more freedom. He absorbed so much pressure.”

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Jenas was not impressed with a former Spurs man

While it is clear that Jenas has a lot of admiration for Carrick, he did not feel the same about another one of his former Tottenham teammates.

Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast back in June, Jenas revealed that he was disappointed by Edgar David’s lack of technical quality when the Dutchman arrived at Spurs.

However, the 42-year-old admitted that Davids’ leadership qualities were clear for all to see during his time at White Hart Lane.

Jamie O’Hara was angered by Tottenham’s performance against Aston Villa, and he took aim at two youngsters who were handed starts by Thomas Frank.

Tottenham’s home form continues to be a major point of concern under Thomas Frank, with the Lilywhites now having managed just four points out of a possible 12 after Sunday’s loss.

Their only wins at home domestically this season have come against Burnley and Doncaster Rovers, while the Lilywhites were also fortunate to overcome Villarreal 1-0 at home in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their Champions League opener.

Thomas Frank has spoken of the need for Spurs to make their stadium a fortress, but it is proving anything but at the moment, with opposition sides enjoying playing at N17.

Jamie O’Hara blasts two Tottenham stars after defeat to Aston Villa

O’Hara referred to the team’s home form as a concern and admitted that Tottenham are extremely frustrating to watch.

He took to social media to question why Frank’s men are not creating chances outside of set-piece opportunities.

The former Tottenham midfielder also opined that neither Mathys Tel nor Wilson Odobert should be starting, suggesting that the pair are not good enough for Spurs.

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O’Hara wrote: ‘We’re so frustrating to watch, it’s painful, why is Tel playing? Why is Odebert starting? They are not good enough, we need more than just long throws, our home form needs to be a million times better Spurs.’

Spurs fans need to be patient with Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert

It seems to be lost on a lot of Tottenham fans that Tel and Odobert are the same age as Jamie Donley and a year younger than Dane Scarlett.

Not everyone can develop as quickly as someone like Lucas Bergvall, with most players tending to mature after 21.

It is worth remembering that when Harry Kane was Tel’s age, he was struggling to make an impact on loan in the Championship. To completely write off Tel and Odobert thus seems unfair.

Thomas Frank reveals what he thought of Xavi Simons’ showing against Aston Villa as Tottenham were beaten at home in the Premier League yet again.

The attacking midfielder did not hit the ground running after his summer move from RB Leipzig, which was to be expected, given that this is his first taste of Premier League football.

However, it appeared that the 22-year-old had turned a corner ahead of the international break.

Thomas Frank said that Xavi’s performance against Leeds was his best of the season after the Dutchman impressed in the 2-1 win at Elland Road.

The summer signing kept his place in the side, starting again as a number ten against Villa, but this time, he was a passenger for much of the game and was taken off on 79 minutes as the home side went in search of an equaliser.

Thomas Frank defends Xavi Simons after Tottenham’s defeat

From the reaction on social media, it is clear that some Spurs fans have been far from convinced with Xavi since his big-money summer switch.

The attacking midfielder struggled to get into the game on Sunday, but Frank has come to his defence, insisting that it is not fair to single out players since Tottenham attack and defend as a team.

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When asked if Xavi is still finding his feet at N17, the Spurs boss said (via the club’s official website): “I think we defend with 11 players. We also attack with 11 players. It’s the whole team. Of course, it will always be, let’s say, the front four. Today, Wilson, Mo, Xavi and Mathys. They are the main guys who will be judged on it, which is fair.

“Other players are coming on from the bench. I like Xavi’s personality today, especially in the first half. I think he wanted to get on the ball, he wanted to create. I think he was very aggressive in the pressure. I think it was a fine game.

“I think I need to remember it myself when we judge players and they come into a new club, a new country. I know it’s part of football. We judge them with a very small sample of games. I’m not in doubt that Xavi will be good for us. Today was an average-plus game.”

Spurs insiders are confident Xavi will come good

While the new Tottenham signing may not have yet convinced on the pitch, his teammates and the club’s staff have seemingly been impressed by him.

His international teammate Micky van de Ven described Xavi as ‘special’ and is confident that he will showcase his quality in a Spurs shirt sooner rather than later.

Tottenham Hotspur failed to secure victory against Aston Villa in their last Premier League fixture, and a worrying pattern involving Cristian Romero has now begun to emerge.

It was a second defeat for Tottenham Hotspur under Thomas Frank when Aston Villa visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 2-1 scoreline summed up an afternoon where Spurs could not capitalise on their bright start, with Rodrigo Bentancur’s early strike proving to be their only reward.

The result leaves Tottenham in sixth place in the Premier League table, with hopes of an immediate response when they next take to the pitch.

Cristian Romero’s absence exposes Tottenham struggles

Thomas Frank was without Cristian Romero for the league fixture against Aston Villa, with the Argentine ruled out after picking up a knock during the warm-up.

The Tottenham manager later confirmed that Romero’s injury is not expected to be serious, but the Argentine’s absence was glaring as Spurs struggled to contain the Villans’ attacking threat in his absence, with statistics now showing a worrying trend.

According to available data, Tottenham have managed to win just 23% (6 out of 26) of their Premier League matches without Romero since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

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However, with the defender in the starting lineup, that figure jumps to 50% (29 out of 58) – a stark contrast that underlines his influence on the team’s stability.

Romero’s presence at the heart of defence brings both structure and aggression to Tottenham’s backline, qualities that were sorely missed against Aston Villa.

Spurs need Romero back for vital run of fixtures

Thomas Frank will be hoping that Romero’s injury does not keep him out for long, given how pivotal he remains to this Tottenham side.

The Argentine will be crucial over the next six fixtures, which are set to come in quick succession over less than three weeks, making consistency and leadership at the back absolutely vital.

Tottenham’s defensive lapses against Aston Villa were evident in both of the goals conceded, with neither long-range effort being effectively closed down by surrounding players.

It is the sort of defensive scenario Cristian Romero typically snuffs out with his anticipation and intensity – his numbers back that up, with 1.98 tackles per game (Top 19%) and 1.58 interceptions (Top 10%) according to recent statistics.