Tottenham are still searching for their first win and first goal of the new Premier League season after a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, a result that also left fans venting about one of Roberto De Zerbi’s summer arrivals.
The City Ground clash was tense throughout, and Spurs were nearly undone in the second half when Neco Williams appeared to force the ball home for Forest. VAR stepped in, ruling that the ball had gone in off the Welshman’s hand, sparing the visitors from what would have been their first defeat of the campaign.
Attention quickly turned to Mathys Tel, who continues to start for De Zerbi despite struggling to win over the Spurs faithful in his second full season at the club. The Frenchman lined up on the left of a front three alongside new arrivals Omar Marmoush and Savio, but was largely nullified by Ola Aina and rarely threatened down that channel. He lasted 74 minutes, managing five dribble attempts (one successful), ten ground duels (two won), a solitary key pass, and an expected assists tally of just 0.05, before making way for Mykhailo Mudryk.
That substitution could be a worrying sign for Tel. De Zerbi has been vocal about his admiration for Mudryk, whom he worked with at Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Ukrainian’s arrival gives the Italian a ready-made alternative if Tel’s form doesn’t pick up.
The winger, who joined from Bayern Munich for £30 million after failing to nail down regular football at the Allianz Arena, has yet to justify that price tag in North London. His profligacy from a free-kick in last weekend’s defeat to Newcastle only added to the growing frustration among supporters, and Saturday’s display did little to change the narrative — with fans on social media openly calling for him to be dropped and questioning what his best attributes even are.
De Zerbi’s side next face Everton at home on September 12th, and it remains to be seen whether Tel keeps his starting spot or whether Mudryk gets the nod instead.
