Tottenham striker Mathys Tel says the club has become more united during this season’s pre-season preparations, identifying a clear difference from the same period last year.
Tel was asked to compare Tottenham’s build-up to the new campaign with their preparations 12 months ago. His assessment was summed up by the phrase: “Now we are one whole.”
The comment comes with Tottenham preparing for their opening fixture in the Premier League. Roberto De Zerbi’s side will begin their campaign away from home against Brentford on Saturday, 22 August.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 Moscow time.
Tel’s remarks focus on the atmosphere and collective feeling within the Tottenham squad rather than on an individual aspect of the striker’s preparation. By describing the group as now being “one whole”, he indicated that the team’s internal dynamic has changed compared with last year’s pre-season.
That observation is the main message from the forward ahead of the first league game. Tottenham’s preparations have been viewed through the contrast with the previous season, with Tel pointing to a greater sense of unity inside the team.
The comparison is particularly relevant before a competitive fixture, when Tottenham’s preparations will give way to the demands of the Premier League. Their first test will come at Brentford, with the two clubs meeting in the opening round.
The match will be played at Brentford’s home ground, and Tottenham will have to start their league campaign on the road. The fixture is set for Saturday evening, with the scheduled start time of 19:30 Moscow time.
For Tel, the change since last year is therefore centred on togetherness. His statement does not provide further detail about the specific elements of the pre-season programme, but it makes clear that he believes Tottenham now have a stronger collective identity.
The forward’s comments offer an early indication of how the squad views its preparations before the season begins. Rather than concentrating on a personal target, Tel highlighted the team as a whole and the sense that the players are working as a single unit.
That unity will be put to its first competitive test when Tottenham travel to face Brentford. The Premier League opener will provide the first opportunity for De Zerbi’s side to turn the feeling described by Tel into a result.
For now, the Tottenham striker’s message is that the club enters the new campaign in a different place from last year’s pre-season: “Now we are one whole.”
