Roberto De Zerbi’s animated conversation with Mathys Tel following Tottenham’s goalless draw against Everton has attracted attention after supporters attempted to determine what was said between the pair.
The Tottenham manager approached Tel on the pitch following Saturday’s 0-0 result and appeared to deliver an intense piece of individual coaching to the French forward.
With Spurs still searching for their first victory after four matches and yet to score this season, the visibly animated exchange inevitably prompted speculation that frustration was beginning to surface within the squad.
However, a professional lip reader has offered a different interpretation of the conversation, suggesting De Zerbi was primarily giving Tel tactical instructions rather than confronting him over a personal disagreement.
Tottenham’s Difficult Start Continues Against Everton
Spurs entered the Everton match under pressure following a disappointing opening to the campaign.
Another uninspiring attacking performance against David Moyes’ side extended Tottenham’s winless run to four matches and left the club without a goal.
Tel began the game among the substitutes before being introduced and asked to operate as a makeshift central striker.
The forward struggled to make the attacking impact Tottenham needed, and his positioning subsequently became the subject of De Zerbi’s post-match conversation with him.
Fans Question What Was Said on the Pitch
Footage of the exchange quickly circulated online, leading supporters to offer different interpretations of the conversation.
Some believed De Zerbi was angrily criticising the forward, while others suggested the incident could indicate tension developing between player and manager.
One interpretation circulating among fans claimed Tel responded to his manager by saying that he was there to play football.
Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling, founder of LipReader, has since provided her assessment of the footage and offered a different account.
Lip Reader Says De Zerbi Criticised Tel’s Movement
According to Hickling, De Zerbi told Tel that he was “playing like a stud,” apparently using the comparison to suggest that the forward was moving around without enough attacking purpose.
The Tottenham manager could then be seen physically demonstrating the positioning he wanted.
Hickling interpreted De Zerbi’s subsequent instructions as telling Tel to attack with greater focus.
The manager’s gestures appeared to show the body orientation and movement he expected from a central striker when Tottenham were progressing towards goal.
Tel Reportedly Explains Why He Dropped Deeper
Tel did not simply listen without responding.
According to Hickling’s interpretation, the forward explained that he had moved backwards because he wanted to receive the ball.
That response fits closely with De Zerbi’s later explanation of the conversation during his post-match press conference.
Rather than criticising Tel for a lack of effort, the manager indicated that he had been coaching the player about how a striker should position his body and where he should be looking when Tottenham attack.
De Zerbi Wants Tel Facing the Opposition Goal
De Zerbi confirmed that the conversation involved technical coaching directly on the pitch.
The Spurs manager explained that a striker’s body position was central to what he had been trying to communicate.
With creative players such as James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus and Savio operating around him, De Zerbi believes Tel must concentrate on functioning as a genuine striker rather than continually dropping towards the ball.
His comments suggested he wants the forward positioned to attack the opposition goal instead of frequently receiving possession with his back towards it.
Manager Uses Crossing Situation to Explain Tel’s Role
De Zerbi also pointed to crossing situations as an example of where he wants Tel to improve his positioning.
He said the forward needed to remain inside attacking areas when deliveries were arriving rather than moving away from positions where he could threaten the goal.
The Tottenham boss noted that Tel originally developed as a striker before increasingly being used as a winger.
That background appears to be one reason De Zerbi believes the 21-year-old can adapt to the central role he is currently being asked to perform.
Forest Performance Had Already Drawn Public Criticism
The conversation came only a week after De Zerbi publicly criticised Tel’s performance against Nottingham Forest.
Tel subsequently lost his starting position for the Everton match, adding to speculation that relations between the player and manager could have become strained.
The pitch-side discussion after the final whistle only intensified those suspicions.
De Zerbi, however, has firmly rejected suggestions of a personal dispute.
De Zerbi Insists There Is No Problem With Tel
Despite his willingness to publicly challenge Tel and correct him immediately after matches, De Zerbi made clear that his criticism should not be interpreted as evidence of a breakdown in their relationship.
The Italian said he loves Tel both as a footballer and as a person and insisted there is no problem between them.
His comments suggest the animated conversation was another example of De Zerbi’s hands-on coaching style as he attempts to improve Tottenham’s attacking performance.
The urgency is understandable given the club’s failure to score during the opening four matches.
Tottenham Search for Breakthrough Against Liverpool
Spurs will have little time to dwell on the Everton stalemate or the discussion surrounding Tel.
Tottenham return to action on Tuesday with a difficult trip to Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
They will then host Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime as De Zerbi continues searching for his first victory and Tottenham’s first goal of the campaign.
For Tel, the coming fixtures could provide an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that he has understood his manager’s message: spend less time moving away from goal and become the direct attacking threat De Zerbi believes he can be.
