Aksel Kryhlmand
He’s a very talented player that can play across the front four positions… a goalscorer that we can develop even further
New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has wasted no time shaping his squad for the 2025/26 campaign, and securing Mathys Tel on a permanent deal may prove to be a pivotal decision for the Dane’s tenure in north London.
Signed from Bayern Munich for £29.8 million (potentially rising to £34 million with add-ons), Tel has committed to a six-year contract with Spurs following a mixed but promising loan spell. While some fans raised eyebrows over the fee, Frank is confident the 20-year-old forward is a long-term asset with untapped potential.
“Very, Very Excited”
In his first comments since the move was confirmed, Frank didn’t hold back his enthusiasm.
Very, very excited about Mathys signing with a permanent deal,” said the Spurs boss. “He’s a very talented player that can play across the front four positions… a goalscorer that we can develop even further.
This development-first approach echoes Frank’s Brentford philosophy, where he became renowned for improving young, high-ceiling talents. With Tel, he sees a player who, once more consistent and composed in the box, could be a match-winner in both domestic and European campaigns.
From Skepticism to Solution?
Tel’s stats from his debut season at Spurs weren’t explosive: 3 goals and 2 assists in 20 appearances. For some fans, the modest return didn’t justify a £45 million outlay. Yet context matters.
He joined in the middle of a campaign. He was only 19. And crucially, he was thrust into Ange Postecoglou’s XI during an injury crisis without the benefit of a pre-season to settle.
There were glimpses, particularly in the April home defeat to Nottingham Forest, where Tel’s pace, movement, and intent stood out. But like Lucas Moura before him, Tel may be best judged not by his first six months, but by what he does once fully integrated.
Patience Pays
The comparison with Lucas Moura is not accidental. The Brazilian also had a low-key start after arriving in January 2018 but exploded the following season with 15 goals in all competitions, including the unforgettable hat-trick in Amsterdam that sent Spurs to a Champions League final.
Tel, like Lucas, has now completed the adaptation phase. With a full pre-season under Frank, the Frenchman has a clean slate and a head coach who believes in youth and has a track record of maximizing raw talent.
Frank’s methods, detailed coaching, tactical clarity, player empowerment, are already drawing comparisons with Mauricio Pochettino’s early work at Tottenham.
A Match?
The 2025/26 season offers Tel a golden opportunity. He will likely get a full summer with the squad after the Under-21 Euros and could be positioned centrally in Frank’s plans, whether as a dynamic winger or mobile striker.
Should Tel flourish under Frank’s guidance, the gamble will look like a masterstroke, especially in an era where £30–40 million is increasingly seen as mid-tier for elite attacking talent.
As Frank aims to build a squad that combines youthful energy with tactical discipline, Mathys Tel might just become the beacon of a new Spurs identity. The blueprint is in place. Now it’s up to Tel, and his new manager, to bring it to life.