Tottenham Hotspur still have faith in Mathys Tel, with Roberto De Zerbi continuing to view the young French winger as an important long-term project. Tel’s impressive pre-season had strengthened that belief, but his performances since the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign have failed to match those expectations.
The pressure increased after a disappointing display against Newcastle United, where Tel repeatedly gave the ball away and frustrated Spurs supporters with his decision-making. His reluctance to release the ball quickly could perhaps be explained by his attempts to make something happen rather than selfishness, but regardless of the reason, his overall impact was extremely limited.
His struggles continued against Nottingham Forest. Tottenham were held to another 0-0 draw, failing to score for the third consecutive Premier League game, while Tel once again struggled to make a meaningful contribution.
And now, with Mykhaylo Mudryk arriving on loan from Chelsea before the transfer window closed, competition for places on the wing has become even tougher.
But Mudryk is not the only player Tel should be concerned about.
Wilson Odobert could eventually pose an even bigger threat to his position.
Odobert could return in 2027
Like Tel, Odobert is a young French attacker capable of operating from the wing. However, he offers a slightly different profile, with greater creativity and the versatility to play effectively on either the left or right.
Odobert is currently recovering from the ACL injury he suffered during the second half of the 2025/26 season, meaning Spurs will have to wait before seeing him back on the pitch. However, he is expected to return at some point in 2027.
When he does return, Odobert will have his sights firmly set on reclaiming a place in Tottenham’s attacking setup—and that could put Tel’s position under serious pressure.
Tel arrived with considerable potential and remains highly regarded at Spurs, but potential alone will not guarantee him a place in De Zerbi’s starting XI. With Savio, Mudryk, Marmoush and eventually Odobert all competing for attacking roles, the Frenchman will have to improve quickly.
There is also another factor that could work in Odobert’s favour.
Having spent three full seasons in the English football system before turning 21 during his time at Burnley, Odobert qualifies as a homegrown player for registration purposes. That makes him particularly valuable when Tottenham have to manage their squad places.
As a result, if Spurs eventually find themselves choosing between Tel and Odobert for a limited squad position, Odobert could have an important advantage.
For Tel, that makes the coming months crucial. The talent and trust are clearly there, but if his performances continue to disappoint, his place at Tottenham could become far less secure than many expected.
