Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi addresses Mathys Tel relationship after on-pitch altercation

Roberto De Zerbi has insisted there is no problem with Mathys Tel after the pair were involved in a heated discussion after Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at home to Everton.

Spurs remain winless and without a goal after four league games, following another frustrating performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Not for the first time this season, Spurs toiled in front of goal and cameras caught De Zerbi deep in conversation with second-half substitute Tel at the full-time whistle.

Brought on as a makeshift striker, Tel struggled to make an impact, and De Zerbi revealed that he spoke to the Frenchman about his performance and how he could have influenced the game more effectively.

“Yes, I coached him on the pitch,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference.

“The body shape of a striker. The striker can play with the shoulder on the goal. If we are playing with (James) Maddison, (Mohammed) Kudus and Savio, he has to play as a striker, and the striker has to look at the goal, no?

“Or on the cross of Robertson. He has to stay inside because he started (his career) as a striker. Now he's playing as a winger, but he started in his career as a striker.”

De Zerbi publicly criticised Tel’s performance against Nottingham Forest last weekend, dropping him to the bench against Everton as Dominic Solanke came into the side for the first time since April.

Despite omitting Tel from the starting lineup, De Zerbi was clear that he had only been speaking to the 21-year-old from a place of love.

“But I love Mathys as a player, as a guy. There is not a problem.”