Tottenham Hotspur's preparations for the pivotal North London Derby against Arsenal have been hit by a double setback, with a key player growing unsettled and a potential injury crisis brewing in midfield.
Tel's London Struggles
Just months after making his move permanent, French forward Mathys Tel is reportedly unhappy in London. The youngster, who initially joined on loan from Bayern Munich before signing outright in the summer, is said to be considering a January departure. His discontent stems from a severe lack of playing time under manager Thomas Frank.
Tel has managed a mere 24 minutes of action over the past month, finding himself down the pecking order in a fiercely competitive attacking lineup. The presence of Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, and Brennan Johnson has drastically limited his opportunities to feature in the starting XI.
According to reports from Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, AS Roma are monitoring the situation and considering a loan bid. It is believed that Tottenham would be open to such a move. However, Tel's late goal against Manchester United earlier this month might yet convince Frank to grant him a more prominent role, potentially altering the club's and the player's stance in the coming weeks.
Midfield Injury Nightmare Before Derby
In a development that could severely impact their chances against Arsenal, Tottenham face the potential absence of midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. The Senegalese international, a mainstay in Frank's side this season, limped off during his national team's 2-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday.
While Senegal manager Pape Thiaw initially downplayed the injury, concern grew when Sarr was omitted from the squad for Senegal's 8-0 victory over Kenya on Tuesday, casting serious doubt on his availability for the weekend's high-stakes clash.
"We left him in London," Thiaw confirmed. "He took a knock, and we felt it would be difficult for him to recover in just two days. Since we were in his home city, we preferred to leave him with his club so he could receive treatment there."
This potential blow comes at a terrible time for Spurs, who are already contending with a lengthy injury list. Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragusin are all currently sidelined. Furthermore, Yves Bissouma, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray are also considered doubts for the derby, leaving Tottenham worryingly thin in central midfield.
Spurs' Stuttering Form
These personnel issues arrive as Tottenham seek to rediscover their early-season momentum. After a bright start that saw them win five of their first seven matches and come close to a Super Cup victory over PSG, the team has hit a rough patch.
A difficult run over the past month, featuring defeats to Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Chelsea, coupled with a stoppage-time equaliser conceded against Manchester United, has drained confidence. Despite sitting in a respectable fifth place in the Premier League and having an undefeated start in the Champions League, Frank has clear work to do to reignite his sputtering side ahead of a critical period that includes the derby and a Champions League meeting with PSG.
