(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Mon 30 March 2026 14:15, UK

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Mathys Tel could become a key figure for Tottenham Hotspur if they can seal the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.

The former Brighton boss has taken a dramatic change in his stance regarding an immediate move to take charge in North London, and it is now looking increasingly likely that he will be handed the reins.

The 46-year-old will need to have an immediate impact upon arriving at his new team, as the Lilywhites are just one point clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone with seven games remaining.

Igor Tudor’s brief stint in charge provided a shakeup within the group, with Tel arguably one of the only players to benefit from his time at the helm.

The Frenchman had been an outcast under Thomas Frank earlier in the season, but De Zerbi would be silly not to lean on him in Tottenham’s remaining games if his appointment is confirmed.

Mathys Tel leads Spurs in several important metrics

Tel’s campaign began in terrible fashion when he was initially left out of the Champions League squad for the league phase of the competition.

The youngster recovered to earn some of Frank’s trust back, but he has still enjoyed just nine starts in the Premier League across the entire season.

However, he found himself more involved during Tudor’s tenure, and that is something that De Zerbi must lean on, as the 20-year-old has appeared to be playing with confidence in recent weeks.

Tottenham’s squad are feeling the heat at the moment, and it can often be difficult to execute in the key moments of games when there is so much pressure weighing down upon a team.

They are desperately in need of a player who is something of a maverick and isn’t afraid to play without fear and make things happen.

Stats show that Tel can be that man for the North Londoners, given that he currently leads the entire team for successful dribbles per 90 and chances created per 90.

Throw in the fact that only Richarlison currently boasts a better goals per 90 tally, and all the stats point in favour of Tel being given a much bigger role between now and the end of the season.

Neither Frank or Tudor were able to truly unlock the ex-Bayern Munich man, and De Zerbi’s ability to get him firing could effectively decide Spurs’ relegation fate.

Tel could be part of Tottenham exodus this summer

Football Insider revealed back in January that Tottenham had no plans to let Tel leave during the winter window, despite interest in him building elsewhere.

He has now been linked with a return to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund in recent days, and while that link has been played down for now, his long-term future remains far from certain.

Tel has largely been unable to make the impact that he would have desired since moving to England, and as a result, he is surely a likely candidate to depart this summer, regardless of which league Spurs end up in.

If it ends up being Championship football for the Lilywhites next term, then it is highly likely that he will part of a huge exodus of players from the first-team squad, in a bid to drastically cut the wage costs.

It remains unclear at the moment whether the starlet has a long-term future at Tottenham, but right now, he could hold the key to them avoiding a calamitous relegation.