Igor Tudor has addressed growing calls from Tottenham supporters to hand Mathys Tel a starting role, explaining why the forward has often been used from the bench despite his lively cameos.
Tottenham Hotspur have managed just two wins in their last 19 Premier League games, and it is clear there is a need for a spark.
Appointing a new manager has yet to provide that bounce, with Igor Tudor losing his first two matches in charge, although he will hope it is third time lucky.
Many Tottenham fans believe that spark could come from Mathys Tel, who impressed off the bench against Fulham, showing bravery in taking on his marker and attempting to make things happen.
| Stat | Mathys Tel vs Fulham |
|---|---|
| Touches | 23 |
| Accurate Passes | 6/8 (75%) |
| Chances Created | 1 |
| Passes into Final Third | 1 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 2 |
| Successful Dribbles | 2/3 (67%) |
| Ground Duels Won | 4/6 (67%) |
| Defensive Contributions | 4 |
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor explains Mathys Tel Premier League selection calls
That display led to calls for Tel to start against Crystal Palace. Tudor has now explained why the forward has made only six Premier League starts this season, speaking to football.london about his selection decisions.
Outlining that his choices are based on what he feels is right in the moment and stressing the impact substitutes can have, Tudor said: “I chose what I think in that moment is best for the team.
“It does not mean he is not part of first XI, football change in five minutes, one game, two games and everyone, I like to say and coaches do, everyone puts themselves in the team.
“The coach needs to choose what he believes in this moment, but with five changes, with five substitutes, football change and so I always speak about that.
“Today they are not substitutes because when you change half of the team, it is half of the team who is coming in and half who is coming out.
“It is a totally different point of view for the players and sometimes it is difficult to understand this because everyone wants to start. What I recognise here and especially in this league, there is a special game in the last 15-20 minutes.
“It is always a game within a game. Probably for them (substitutes), it is not easy to understand and of course no one wants to accept, I am the same but in games, a lot of games are decided in the last 20 minutes.”
Spurs struggling to find impact as Mathys Tel debate continues
While Tudor is correct that matches can shift in the final 20 minutes, Tottenham have not made those periods count this season.
Spurs are yet to win a game in 2026 and are winless in their last ten league outings. With that record, handing Tel a start and leaving out others who have struggled to impose themselves early on would not significantly disrupt a side already searching for answers.
| Stat | Randal Kolo Muani vs Fulham |
|---|---|
| Touches | 19 |
| Accurate Passes | 2/5 (40%) |
| Chances Created | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 0 |
| Shots Off Target | 0 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 7 |
| Passes into Final Third | 1 |
| Ground Duels Won | 2/6 (33%) |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0/5 (0%) |
Tottenham are in desperate need of a spark, and including a player who is looking to prove himself could well provide what the Lilywhites have been looking for.