Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has clarified why forward Mathys Tel was omitted entirely from the matchday squad during Saturday's 3-2 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, a result that has piled further pressure on the north London club.
Tel, who had appeared in every league fixture for Spurs so far this season, was neither included in the starting eleven nor named among the substitutes as Villa claimed a hard-fought win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against a side competing in the Champions League. The Frenchman's absence was notable given his recent workload, having played 85 minutes just days earlier in Tottenham's 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool.
Speaking after the Villa match, De Zerbi described the choice to exclude Tel as purely tactical rather than punitive. "Technical decision," the Italian coach said, explaining his reasoning in detail. "He was in the stands, because I think during the game, [James] Maddison and [Mohammed] Kudus, they had more chances to change the game, and then two centre-backs, important. Also the two full-backs, have a look for Pedro Porro, with Archie Gray, and the two central midfielders."
De Zerbi also revealed that he had already communicated his decision to the young forward the day before the match, ensuring there were no surprises or lingering tension between them. "I explained why to Mathys yesterday [Friday]," he said. "It was no problem. He was very nice and he understood the reason, but nothing more, and also he played more than the others."
The defeat leaves Tottenham facing scrutiny once again, but rather than address his squad directly in the dressing room afterwards, De Zerbi opted to withhold comment, citing the timing of the loss just before an international break. "I didn't speak with the players today because I didn't want to say anything," he explained. "I have nothing with them, but the players who go with the national team, they have to play and they have to work, and the other players — Maddison, [Conor] Gallagher, [Dominic] Solanke, Tosin [Adarabioyo], [Marcos] Senesi, Savio — for sure, we have to work more, because also the physical condition, I didn't like this game."
The Italian coach suggested that the upcoming three-week international break might actually serve his squad well, hinting that some distance from the group could be beneficial after a difficult run of results. His comments implied concerns not just about tactical shape but also about the physical condition of several key players who remained with the club during the international window.
Tel's situation will likely be closely watched when domestic football resumes, particularly given his consistent involvement earlier in the campaign. Whether the winger returns to the matchday squad immediately after the international break remains to be seen, though De Zerbi's comments suggest no permanent rift has developed between player and coach.
For now, Tottenham must regroup during the international period, with De Zerbi seemingly using the pause to reassess his group both physically and tactically before facing renewed Premier League and cup commitments.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.