Spurs have found a bigger talent than Savinho

As we enter the last month of the transfer window, the focus for Tottenham Hotspur is on signing new forward players.

Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth is perhaps the most exciting name on their shortlist. However, valued at a mega £100m and with the Cherries reluctant to sell, it would be a surprise if that move was completed.

A deal for Savinho, however, does look likely. Spurs are pushing hard to get that move across the line. They are currently in talks with Manchester City.

That being said, pre-season has shown that the Lilywhites do have a number of impressive wide players still on their books. The performances of Mathys Tel across games with Auckland and Sydney FC, in particular, have stood out.

How Mathys Tel has caught the eye in pre-season

Last season Tel was the scapegoat. Truthfully, as Tottenham nearly succumbed to relegation, there were many. However, Tel was one of the biggest disappointments.

He ended 2025/26 with just four goals and two assists in 38 matches across all competitions. It was not good enough in the slightest.

That said, he has come flying out of the traps in pre-season. Has he found his level? Auckland and Sydney are hardly the best of teams.

However, someone needed to play well and Tel certainly has. His performance a few days ago in New Zealand was particularly effervescent. The young Frenchman supplied Richarlison’s second half goal in the 2-0 win with a darting run down the left.

He caused constant problems for the defenders, attempting a whopping six dribbles, three of which were successfully completed. He also had two shots and made two key passes.

Tel was equally as impressive against Sydney on Wednesday and even got himself on the scoresheet with a wonderful free-kick in the first half, placing the ball into the top corner.

For a long time, the 21-year-old has been viewed as a hot prospect for the future but he has failed to live up to his potential. There might well be signs appearing that he’s finally finding his mojo at Spurs.

He was not the best player for Roberto De Zerbi’s side though.

Spurs’ best player in pre-season shines once more

In pre-season to date, Tottenham have defeated MK Dons 1-0, beaten Auckland 2-0 and then drawn with Sydney 1-1.

The performance was not the best on Wednesday but that mattered not for a certain Luca Williams-Barnett who is simply lighting up these friendly matches.

Just 17 years of age, he made a remarkably good impact off the bench against MK Dons a week ago.He attempted six dribbles versus their EFL opposition, but he also created three key passes, one of which was a delightful clipped pass over the top which winger Yang Min-hyeok somehow missed.

He was vibrant again a couple of days ago in New Zealand. Defying his age, the teenager started the game and had as many as five shots. On another day he might have scored.

Well, when Spurs travelled to play Sydney on Wednesday night, Williams-Barnett was again the key talking point.

He came on for Tel at half-time and played out on the flanks. As against their Kiwi opposition, he was unlucky not to find the net. After the youngster had made a brilliant run down the left flank, he hit the crossbar with a well struck effort.

If anything sums up just how much confidence the academy graduate has, it was his spot-kick in a post-game penalty shoot-out that Spurs won 4-2 which summed him up.

Williams-Barnett attempted a daring Panenka and got it absolutely spot on. Of course he did. It was no surprise to see Football.London’s Alasdair Gold hail him as “Spurs’ best player on the night.”

Speaking after the game, Ben Davies spoke to reporters and only had good things to say about the young kid: “He’s a really top player,” the Welshman began “I think you can see the qualities he’s got. He’ll now just develop the habits of the game. But to have no fear and just want the ball again even if he loses it is great.”

In the context of the club’s transfer window, these performances are important. Tottenham want to sign a couple of attackers before the market slams shut but in Williams-Barnett, it looks as though De Zerbi already has a huge talent at his disposal.

Spurs want Savinho but might they be better off investing their time and effort into the academy star instead? To be making an impact in senior football at his age is remarkable.

His performances over the last week suggest he is going to be a much bigger and brighter talent than Savinho is or ever will be. Perhaps he already is.