Tottenham’s Mathys Tel has opened his account for the season, scoring his first goal while away with the France U21 side in their clash against Iceland U21.Of the 15 Tottenham Hotspur players out on international duty this September and October, five are with U21 sides.That includes Frenchman Mathys Tel, who has struggled since the start of the season playing on the left for Spurs. Tel has yet to score or provide an assist this campaign, despite making six appearances in all competitions, including the Carabao Cup tie against Charlton Athletic.His performances have drawn criticism, even from his own manager Roberto De Zerbi, who highlighted Tel’s poor decision-making in the final third.De Zerbi said: “Yes, I coached him on the pitch. The body shape. He is a striker and the striker can play with the shoulder on the goal. If we are playing with Maddison, Kudus and Savio, he has to play as a striker and the striker has to look at the goal or the cross from Robertson.“He has to stay inside because he started as a striker. Now he is playing as a winger but he started his career as a striker, but I love Mathys as a player, as a guy and there is not a problem.”Credit: @thatfootballphotog / InstagramMathys Tel finds first goal of the season with France U21sGiven his struggles in the final third, it was no surprise De Zerbi opted for Omar Marmoush on the left of attack against Aston Villa in Spurs’ last Premier League outing.The Egyptian did not improve Tottenham’s fortunes, as he also remains without a goal involvement since joining the club.However, Tel, away with France U21s, has now grabbed his first competitive goal of the 2026-27 campaign.It was not spectacular, with the forward slotting into an open net after a slice of luck following a goal-line clearance from an Iceland defender.Watch Mathys Tel’s goal for the French U21 team below: 31' : BUUUUUUT DE MATHYS TEL !Quelle FEINTE du titi parisien Senny Mayulu 🤩 ! pic.twitter.com/6dm1LFreQD— ZackNaniTV (@ZackNaniTV) September 25, 2026Tottenham will hope Mathys Tel’s confidence growsThat is the sort of fortune Tel needs given his early-season struggles in a Tottenham shirt, with his latest goal hopefully boosting his confidence.Spurs need the wide forward in good form, as he remains their only recognised fit left winger, even though Marmoush, Savio and Mohammed Kudus could fill in that role.In pre‑season, Tel looked sharp – scoring, assisting, and showing improved decision‑making in the final third. Now, however, he seems to be struggling in that area.His dip in form has also weakened Spurs’ threat from set‑pieces, where he remains their primary taker. Last season, his corner deliveries led to several goals, but this term his crossing has been noticeably less effectiveNext up for Tel is a clash against Estonia U21S, and Tottenham will be hoping the winger continues to build momentum and rediscover his form.READ MORE: Jan Paul van Hecke stats don’t line up with ‘incredibly poor’ criticism of Tottenham starThe post Video: Mathys Tel finally nets his first goal of season but it isn't in a Tottenham shirt appeared first on Spurs Web.