'Really impressed me' - Thomas Frank names Tottenham player who is proving him wrong
Thomas Frank is delighted to see one of his Tottenham players responding in the best way.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been praising one of his players for showing resiliency after Saturday’s narrow win over Leeds United. Spurs ended the Yorkshire side’s home unbeaten run that spanned more than a year thanks to goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, with Noah Okafor scoring for the hosts between those two goals.
Spurs had been on a tricky run that saw them draw in the Champions League and draw twice in the Premier League within their last four outings, with Frank’s men falling behind in each of their last two Premier League games.
The opening goal from Tel delighted Frank, who left the 20-year-old out of his Champions League squad, but instead of pouting and dropping his head, the young attacker has stepped up his development.
"I'm almost emotional about him, so happy for him,” Frank said. “I think the character he's shown for a young man just really impressed me from day one, but of course after a setback, not coming in the Champions League squad, not being an established player, maybe playing a good position where I really can see him play and I think he's taking steps. Also been picked a little bit for the left.
“So, just keep training well, which he does. He trains well every day. Stayed at home when we went the Bodo the whole team, trained well. Just ready today. Big praise to Cameron and Justin (coaches) to work with Mathys and the way we worked with him - a fine game against West Ham as a striker, to a better game against Doncaster, where he arrives more in the right areas.
“I know he could have scored two goals but as I say he arrives there, because we trained and we showed clips. To the next level today, where I think he worked hard, he scored a good goal. I know there was a little deflection, but the connection was good. He has a header, other good situations. So, very, very pleased."
Tel joined Tottenham on loan last season but with an option to buy, with the London club eventually paying £30million for his services. The arrival of Kudus and others saw Tel left out of the Champions League squad, but he looks as though he will be a good contender to be included for the knockout phase should Tottenham get there based on his improving form early in the season.
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