Tottenham fans all make the same Mathys Tel complaint after 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa
09/02/2025 20:30
Mathys Tel made his full debut for Tottenham in the FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa.
First eyes on new @SpursOfficial man, Mathys Tel 👀#EmiratesFACuppic.twitter.com/ZSMaZGf0Vo
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
After making his first appearance for Spurs in the 4-0 Carabao Cup loss at Liverpool on Thursday, the Frenchman was handed a first start for Tottenham at Villa Park, following his deadline day loan move from Bayern Munich.
The France U21 international’s full debut could hardly have started any worse, as Jacob Ramsey scored just 57 seconds into the game – alarmingly, Tottenham even kicked the game off.
Nevertheless, the new Spurs No.11 grew into the game, and showed flashes of the ability which led Bayern Munich to spend £25m to sign him from Rennes at the age of just 17 – eventually scoring in the 92nd minute to claw one back.
However, Tottenham fans had one complaint about Mathys Tel during the 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa.
Tottenham fans urge Ange Postecoglou to deploy Mathys Tel centrally
A number of Spurs supporters felt the 19-year-old was being wasted out on the left flank, and urged Ange Postecoglou to deploy the teenager in the middle, where Heung-min Son started.
I'd look to get Son out on the left and Tel through the middle.
— Harry Gray (@Harry_Gray95) February 9, 2025
Then in midfield we need to get on Sarr to work box to box, as Bentancur and the defence are being exposed too often.
Even consider taking Kulusevski off and bringing Davies on so Gray can gomin midfield
Firstly, one Tottenham fan had plenty of tactical advice for Postecoglou, writing: “I’d look to get Son out on the left and Tel through the middle. Then in midfield we need to get (Pape) Sarr to work box to box, as (Rodrigo) Bentancur and the defence are being exposed too often.
“Even consider taking (Dejan) Kulusevski off and bringing (Ben) Davies on, so (Archie) Gray can go in midfield.”
I'd take off Son and put Tel striker, Moore LW and Demi RW with Sarr or Biss coming on
— ʜᴏᴛꜱᴘᴜʀ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ (@HotspurHooked) February 9, 2025
But we won't do that, wouldn't be shocked to see Moore come off instead
A second Spurs fan wrote: “I’d take Son off and put Tel striker, (Mikey) Moore LW (left-wing) and Deki (Kulusevski) RW (right-wing) with Sarr or Biss (Yves Bissouma) coming on.”
Need to swap Son and Tel around, Son is non existent up tops
— Keater (@JasonKeatley) February 9, 2025
Furthermore, a third Tottenham fan added: “Need to swap Son and Tel around. Son is non-existent up top.”
Get Son off. He is embarrassing himself now. Move Tel into the middle and put on Ajayi as our RW. We might not win, but at least we will have the players in their preferred positions.
— Hywel Davies 🎈🎈🎈 (@howlindavies) February 9, 2025
Another Tottenham fan even said Son was “embarrassing” himself playing as the No.9 at Villa Park, posting on X (previously known as Twitter): “Get Son off. He is embarrassing himself now. Move Tel into the middle and put on Ajayi as our RW (right-wing).
“We might not win, but at least we will have the players in their preferred positions.”
I hope Ange moves Tel centre forward and Son to the left. #ASTTOT
— Jide (@JideHowardChase) February 9, 2025
Son and Tel need to swap. Tel needs to be involved more and Son hasn't been on it
— Chris (@chrislh90_) February 9, 2025
Last but not least, two more Spurs fan echoed the above sentiments.
One posted: “I hope Ange moves Tel centre-forward and Son to the left.”
Another wrote: “Son and Tel need to swap. Tel needs to be involved more and Son hasn't been on it.”
How Mathys Tel performed statistically on the left
These Tottenham fans may have a point.
As SofaScore shows, Tel – who used to be a defender – failed to register a shot at Villa Park before his goal, completing only 17 passes as the Bayern Munich loanee struggled to get into the game.
He did display some promise with three successful dribbles and one tackle, but it was ultimately a quiet full debut from the Frenchman on the left – before he came to life a bit more after Postecoglou did eventually make the demanded tactical change during the second half.
In regards to Son, the Tottenham No.7 worryingly only completed eight passes, so perhaps it would be best for Postecoglou to swap the South Korean and Tel, who Chelsea wanted, around from the start for the next outing.
