The 2025/26 Premier League season has been a full referendum on the malaise of Tottenham Hotspur, which should have already been apparent last season when they finished 17th in the league, though the Europa League title shrouded over just how putrid they were domestically.
Spurs can blame the refs and injuries, but every fan watching this team this season knows that they deserve to be in the position they are in - and they are lucky not to be confirmed as a relegated side with how poorly they have played.
With destiny in their hands, Tottenham, once again, gave one of their most hated rivals easy points, losing 2-1 to Chelsea when all they needed was a draw to confirm safety. And even their best performers are letting them down.
Mathys Tel was a real disappointment
After two crucial errors undid a great goal against Leeds United and led to a back breaking draw in the relegation fight, Mathys Tel was shocking against Chelsea, proving to Tottenham Hotspur fans that while he is the best attacker the team has, that's really only by default at this point.
Maybe more concerningly, he showed that he is nowhere near the level that Tottenham need in order ot be able to ocmpete with their biggest rivals again. Because despite his eye for the spectacular, effort, and ability to creating shooting opportunities for himself, Tel is severely lacking in the basics.
There were multiple times when all he had to do was complete simple pass into the box to an open teammate to create a clear goal scoring opportunity, and he completely fluffed it. Mathys Tel is young, but with his purported quality and his years of experience in the top flight, you'd expect him to make better decisions than he does and to complete obvious passes at a higher clip than he does.
It was one game and certainly a game to forget against a tough opponent, but Tottenham have to admit that Tel has done this more than just in the Chelsea game. Roberto De Zerbi, the fans, and the club have every reason to believe in Tel because the highs are so high and the raw tools are all there, but it's also important to admit that Spurs have never seen it come together.
This offseason, De Zerbi is going to have to work closely with Tel, because he has to get better at the fundamentals. Lows being this low cannot be tolerated at a club as big as Spurs from a marquee position like the left wing.
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