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Ex-Tottenham scout wowed by Williams-Barnett, names who he's 'already better than' in Spurs XI
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- Ex-Tottenham scout wowed by Williams-Barnett, names who he's 'already better than' in Spurs XI
Luca Williams-Barnett already looks like a player ready to usurp Mathys Tel at Tottenham Hotspur.
That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
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The 18-year-old came on for his Premier League debut as the Lilywhites beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Saturday, and was thoroughly impressive.
Williams-Barnett should have really left with his first assist, too, had Mohammed Kudus not missed an open goal from just a few yards out.
Tottenham fans have been keen to see the teenager in action for some time, and he did not disappoint when Roberto De Zerbi gave him the chance.
Tel has been in better form in recent weeks, and is finally beginning to look like the talent who cost £30million to sign from Bayern Munich.
'As the side improves, Mathys Tel improves'
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It is easy to forget that Tel is just 21, considering how young he was when he broke through at Bayern.
The Frenchman scored six goals for the German side in the 2022-23 campaign, and he was seen as a coup for Tottenham when he arrived in 2025.
Tel's first season was difficult, but in recent weeks, he has looked to have stepped up massively.
"To be honest, I think the kid who came on looks a better player than he does [Tel]," King told Football Insider.
"Now, young players, they tend to go through phases in their play. When things are going well, they go well. But once they pick an injury up or the team aren't playing as well as they should be, it can affect players and especially young players.
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"Tel came from Bayern Munich, young, obviously a good player to have been at Bayern Munich, but not on the verge of breaking through.
"He got a little bit of an earlier chance at Tottenham, struggled. And as the side improves, he's improved. But again, I was more impressed with the kid Williams-Barnett who came on."
Tottenham trio have triggered winning run - ex-Spurs scout What has Roberto De Zerbi said about Tel?
Just weeks ago, as Tottenham drew 1-1 with Man United, Tel could not even make it off the bench.
The games since have seen him take a massive step up, with De Zerbi full of praise.
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"Yes, but he has to push, to push, to push, to keep going, because he's a talent," the Italian said. "He has to clean the last 30 metres, the last decision, the last pass, the shot. He has an unbelievable shot.
"I believe in Mathys, maybe more than he believes in himself. I think it's a journey of this club. I think Tottenham is lucky, and me as a coach, I'm lucky, because we have a great group of players, as a quality, but also as a people.
"I think the future of this club can be important if we keep this mentality, these behaviours."
