Tottenham Hotspur supporters have made their frustrations abundantly clear regarding Mathys Tel after the young striker made his debut in the club’s disappointing Carabao Cup semi-final defeat against Liverpool.
Ange Postecoglou’s hopes of delivering silverware in his second season at the helm suffered a significant setback on Thursday night as Spurs were eliminated from the competition following a 4-1 aggregate loss. Despite heading into the second leg with a slender 1-0 advantage from the home fixture, Tottenham endured a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield, a match in which they failed to register even a single shot on target.
The match was particularly notable for the debut of Tel, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day. His introduction came earlier than expected when starting striker Richarlison was forced off with an injury just before half-time. However, his first outing in a Spurs shirt left fans thoroughly unimpressed, with many taking to social media to voice their disappointment.

Spurs Fans React Harshly to Tel’s Debut

After initially rejecting a move to Tottenham earlier in the transfer window, Tel eventually joined on a loan deal that reportedly cost Spurs up to €10 million (£8.3m), with an option to buy included in the agreement. Given the hype surrounding his arrival, fans were eager to see what the 19-year-old French forward could offer, but his debut performance only fueled frustration.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), one Spurs fan vented: “Didn’t even realise Mathys Tel was on the pitch. Such a nothing player.”
Another supporter echoed similar sentiments: “Mathys Tel has been awful.”
Criticism of his work rate also surfaced, with one fan noting: “Mathys Tel doesn’t have enough stamina to press, despite just being subbed on.”
A particularly scathing comment read: “All that Mathys Tel hype for this rubbish?”

A Costly Exit from a Promising Cup Run

Tottenham’s elimination from the Carabao Cup was a bitter blow, especially given the expectation that they could capitalize on their first-leg advantage. Many fans saw the competition as their best chance to secure silverware this season, even though they remain contenders in the Europa League.
Speaking after the match, Postecoglou acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, conceding that Liverpool were deserved winners.
“I guess that Liverpool deserved the victory,” the Spurs manager admitted. “They were the far better team—we were not able to get a grip of the game.”
The Australian coach also lamented Tottenham’s lack of intensity and inability to control proceedings, adding:
“We allowed them to get into the game and we were not as aggressive as we needed to be. We didn’t get the game started off on the right footing.”

What Next for Tel and Tottenham?

Despite the harsh reception from fans, Tel will have further opportunities to prove himself in the Premier League and other competitions. With Richarlison potentially sidelined due to injury, the young striker may find himself thrust into a more prominent role sooner than expected. However, after a debut that left much to be desired, he will need to quickly adjust to the pace and physicality of English football to win over the Tottenham faithful.
For Spurs, the focus now shifts to their Premier League campaign and their Europa League ambitions, where they will hope to bounce back from this setback. However, unless their attacking options, including Tel, step up in crucial moments, their quest for a long-awaited trophy may remain elusive.