Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel has spoken candidly about the initial challenges he faced adapting to the English Premier League, admitting that the pace and physicality surprised him.
The French attacker, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, joined Spurs in the winter transfer window from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, initially on a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent. After the conclusion of the season, Tottenham exercised this option, securing Tel`s long-term future at the North London club.
Tel`s first period at Spurs saw him feature in 20 matches across all competitions, contributing three goals and providing two assists. While he arrived as part of Ange Postecoglou`s squad plans, the upcoming season will see him playing under the guidance of new head coach Thomas Frank.
Currently, Tel is representing France at the European Under-21s Championship in Slovakia. He played a key role in their 3-2 quarter-final victory over Denmark U21s, scoring one of the decisive goals.
Reflecting on the transition from continental football to the Premier League, Tel highlighted the significant difference in tempo.
“The first three matches, I ended up on the ground,”
he revealed, illustrating the immediate impact of the league`s intensity on him.
As the European Championship progresses, Tel will aim to continue showcasing his abilities before rejoining his Tottenham teammates. Spurs` pre-season training is scheduled to begin in late July, offering the young forward an opportunity to impress Thomas Frank and stake a claim for a prominent role in the squad for the 2024/25 campaign.
