Roberto De Zerbi has shared what he told Mathys Tel following the final whistle of the match between Tottenham and Everton.
The Frenchman was left on the bench yesterday after failing to deliver in the first three league games of the season, with Omar Marmoush starting on the left and Dominic Solanke leading the line.
Tel was introduced in the 63rd minute in place of Solanke, initially playing on the left before moving to the number nine role when Marmoush came off in the 77th minute.
It was another extremely frustrating result for the Lilywhites, who are now goalless in four league games, and De Zerbi’s frustrations were clear after the final whistle.
Video: Roberto De Zerbi confronts Tottenham forward Mathys Tel after the final whistle
The Tottenham boss could not hide his disappointment and frustration after watching his side struggle to create chances across another 90 minutes of football.
The result piles serious pressure on De Zerbi, who has been backed with many of his top targets, but his side yet to show positive signs in the final third.
Following the final whistle, the Italian walked up to Tel and was seen gesturing angrily to the forward about something, with the 21-year-old cutting a sorry figure.
Watch De Zerbi’s interaction with Tel below:
De Zerbi insists he has no problems with Tel
The Tottenham boss admitted that he was coaching the forward about his body position, which needed to be different once he was moved to the number nine role.
However, De Zerbi insisted that he and the Frenchman get along very well and that there is no problem between them.
When asked what he was saying to Tel, the Tottenham boss told Football.London: “Yes, I coached him on the pitch. The body shape. He is a striker and the striker can play with the shoulder on the goal. If we are playing with Maddison, Kudus and Savio, he has to play as a striker and the striker has to look at the goal or the cross from Robertson.
“He has to stay inside because he started as a striker eh? Now he is playing as a winger but he started his career as a striker, but I love Mathys as a player, as a guy and there is not a problem.”
- READ MORE: Tottenham first-half player ratings vs Everton as 8/10 star outclasses new signings again