Alan Shearer names Tottenham star who proved point to Thomas Frank in win vs Leeds
Thomas Frank will have a lot to think about over the international break after Tottenham’s win over Leeds.
Frank ended his winless streak against Daniel Farke in Spurs’ win over Leeds United in the Premier League.
The win against Leeds means Tottenham heads into the international break with a weight off their shoulders.
And Alan Shearer was full of praise after what he saw in the highlights of Spurs’ 2-1 victory at Elland Road.
Alan Shearer praises Mathys Tel’s attitude vs Leeds
Fans were shocked when Frank left Mathys Tel out of Tottenham’s UEFA Champions League squad for the league phase.
However, his recent performance demonstrated why he deserves to start for the Lilywhites.
Tel netted the opener in Spurs’ win over Leeds in a display which could only be described as complete.
His spectacular goal was netted from just 0.12 expected goals according to Sofascore, which highlights the clinical nature of his performance.
- Tel won 100 per cent of his ground duels and 50 per cent of his long balls were accurate
- The Frenchman hit the woodwork once
- He won one out of three aerial duels and lost possession six times with 13 touches all game
Frank sang Tel’s praises after the game, as did Shearer on the BBC’s Match of the Day on 4 October.
He said: “What a great attitude after being left out of the Champions League squad. To prove a point today that his attitude was absolutely right.”
There were concerns over why Tel had struggled to replicate his international form at Tottenham.
But it seems all he needed was a little backing from Frank, to which he proved a point at Elland Road.
Mathys Tel key in Tottenham’s build-up
Shearer also pointed out the tendency of Spurs’ attack to make forward passes and run into space.
Indeed, Tel’s goal was a prime example of this. Mohammed Kudus picks up the ball from deep, passing the ball forward to the Frenchman who had made the run.
The rest was all Tel, whose run had allowed him to stretch Leeds’ defence and create enough space for himself to take the shot and score.
The young striker was not only on the receiving end of those forward passes during the game.
While Xavi Simons’ failed rabona pass to Wilson Odobert will be the thing remembered from that phase of play, Tel did a lot of the work to get him in that position.
Picking the ball up deep in midfield, the Frenchman tracked Simons’ run, and propelled a ball forward which the Dutchman picked up in the final third.
Had he made a basic pass to Odobert, the Lilywhites could have been looking at another huge goalscoring opportunity.
Therefore, Tel’s performance demonstrated clinical finishing, excellent vision and a desire to get himself and his teammates into dangerous attacking positions.
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