Mathys Tel is set to be dropped from Tottenham’s Champions League squad for a second time this season, according to reports in his native France.
L’Equipe say Tel, a £30million summer signing from Bayern Munich just seven months ago, has been informed that he will not be selected for European action in the second half of the season by manager Thomas Frank, in favour of Dominic Solanke.
The French international had previously been left out of the initial squad for Europe in September in a first blow.
But following an injury to Solanke, Spurs were able to exploit a loophole in Uefa regulations to bring the player in.
During his brief stint in Champions League action, Tel played 32 minutes for his side during their 3-0 win versus Slavia Prague.
But Tel will have no place in either of Spurs’ final two league phase games, against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, this season.
Solanke – who has battled issues with an ankle issue since the start of the campaign – managed minutes from the bench in defeats to Aston Villa and West Ham in the FA Cup and Premier League respectively this month.
Tel first moved to Tottenham as a loanee player a year ago, but as his fortunes continue to dip at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the forward may yet be allowed to go on loan this month.
Frank’s own position at the club appears equally, if not more perilous than his players, with the manager set to speak to the media on Monday ahead of his side’s Dortmund clash amid roiling speculation of his departure.
Spurs’ woeful defeat to Premier League strugglers West Ham came against the backdrop of a toxic atmosphere at home, with Frank and his players greeted by fan protests before kick-off, and a chorus of boos after the final whistle.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Sunday that the club’s hierarchy were considering a change in manager, despite previous will for the Danish manager to reverse the club’s fortunes, but an immediate announcement is not thought to be forthcoming.
Club bosses are thought to have concerns over the lack of possible candidates to replace Frank should he be given his marching orders this month, with the likes of Xabi Alonso, former manager Mauricio Pochettino and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola unlikely to be on the market until the summer
