Tottenham's unexpected Mathys Tel stance revealed after outburst
Roberto De Zerbi is counting on Mathys Tel to be a key member of his Tottenham squad despite rumours of a possible exit, sources have told Football Insider.
Tel and De Zerbi looked to be on bad terms as the latter remonstrated with his player on the pitch following Spurs' goalless draw with Everton last weekend.
The Tottenham manager later insisted that he had simply been explaining to Tel how to position his body as a striker, rather than as a winger.
Tel's future has been cast into doubt following the incident, with clubs across Europe keeping tabs on him ahead of the January window.
He was axed from the Tottenham team which hosted Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League home clash.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, De Zerbi will block any approaches for the Frenchman midway through the season as he looks to keep his squad together.
Tel will be given ample chances to rediscover his form as Spurs lack depth on the left flank.
Mathys Tel to be key man for Spurs despite Roberto De Zerbi disagreement
Sources exclusively revealed to Football Insider in the summer that Tel was ready to leave Spurs if he was not offered a guarantee of regular game time.
He stayed at the club and has subsequently started five of their first six games of the campaign, but is yet to register a goal contribution amid their struggles as a team.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "There was a bit of a situation where you saw De Zerbi follow Pep Guardiola, who did it quite a bit after games, giving instructions to players and everything else.
"Obviously, with the Richarlison situation at the club, they are a bit short of options down that left-hand side where Tel has been playing, so I think right now he will be required. He's been selected for five of the opening six games, so that shows that Roberto De Zerbi is still counting on him as well."
Kieran McKenna to Tottenham verdict offered by expert
De Zerbi's own future is under the spotlight as Tottenham falter at the start of this campaign.
Some potential replacements have already been touted by the media, with rumours rife of Kieran McKenna being in line to succeed him at Spurs after he was spotted at their game against Everton.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson has exclusively told Football Insider that McKenna is unlikely to be the next Spurs manager if De Zerbi is sacked soon.
The former Ipswich boss would be a viable appointment, but his appearance at the club's stadium is believed to be too brazen to hint at a possible future appointment.