Tel will be gone in January, Maddison heartbreak – Three things learned v Newcastle

Tottenham played out a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Despite it being a pre-season friendly, tensions were still high between Tottenham and Newcastle in a game that ended all level.

Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs before Harvey Barnes equalised for the Magpies.

However, despite the lack of goals, there was a lot to take away from the game.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank
Credit: Imago

Mathys Tel will be loaned out in January

Questions emerged when Spurs signed Mathys Tel permanently, given the lack of efficiency he showed in his loan spell last season.

That decision is starting to look poorer with each game, and his display against the Magpies did little to change that.

TottenhamGames (All comepetitions)GoalsAssists
Tel2031
Tel’s record last season was poor.

The Frenchman looked like a headless chicken at times, and his miss after racing through on goal was nothing short of embarrassing.

Spurs need clinical forwards this season, and he is certainly not going to be one of them.

Thomas Frank will persevere for now, but it would not be a surprise to see him head out the door in January if things don’t improve.

Cristian Romero exit would derail Tottenham

Links connecting Cristian Romero with an exit refuse to go away, but with the season less than two weeks away, Tottenham need to stand firm.

His exit would damage their chances of having a good start to the campaign and also leave them with very little time to bring in a replacement.

The Argentinian was solid against Newcastle and once again showed the fight that was often lacking under Ange Postecoglou last season.

This side needs to be built around him, not dismantled by his exit.

Cristian Romero claps Tottenham fans
Credit: Imago

James Maddison could be out for a while

James Maddison had a troubled campaign last time with a knee injury, and his fortune doesn’t look likely to change anytime soon.

Just minutes after coming on as a sub, Maddison pulled up and went down in what appeared to be agonising pain.

The Englishman was stretchered off the pitch with his head in his hands, and the concerned look from Frank said it all.

There was no contact with the midfielder, and these injuries tend to be the worst.

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