Tottenham Hotspur fans have plenty to smile about as Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel return to North London brimming with confidence after a dazzling international break with France Under-21s. The dynamic duo were at the heart of two emphatic victories, with France putting six past both the Faroe Islands and Estonia in UEFA U21 European Championship qualifiers—an attacking masterclass that has sent a clear message to Spurs manager Thomas Frank ahead of the Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
On Monday night in Grenoble, France U21s romped to a 6-1 win over Estonia, and it was the Tottenham pair who stole the show. Tel, operating as a central striker, opened the scoring in the ninth minute after pouncing on a loose pass from the Estonian goalkeeper, Ott Nomm. Odobert, showing his trademark awareness and unselfishness, intercepted the ball and squared it to Tel, who calmly slotted home from close range. "Odobert unselfishly played the ball across to Mathys Tel, his club-level teammate, who slotted the ball past the Estonian goalkeeper to give his side an early lead," as one match report described the moment.
Just three minutes later, Tel turned provider, laying the ball off for Djaoui Cisse, who made no mistake from the edge of the box. The French youngsters were relentless, swarming Estonia with wave after wave of attack. Odobert, deployed on the right flank despite playing most of his club football on the left, was a constant threat. The Spurs winger got his reward in the 63rd minute, arriving at the far post to tap in a low cross after a slick move involving Tel and Metholdie. Not content with just the one, Odobert added a second with a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the area, capping off a sparkling individual display.
It wasn’t just about goals. The Tottenham pair combined for three goals and an assist each across the two matches, totaling eight goal contributions in just four days. In Friday’s 6-0 demolition of the Faroe Islands, both players also found the net and provided assists, underlining their growing chemistry and potency in the final third. As one source put it, "After contributing a goal each in Friday's 6-0 win against Faroe Islands, plus an assist for Wilson, they went one better with three goals and an assist each in a 6-1 win against Estonia in Grenoble—eight goal contributions in four days!"
For both Tel and Odobert, these performances couldn’t have come at a better time. The start to their Tottenham careers has been a mixed bag, with each struggling for consistent minutes in Thomas Frank’s evolving side. Tel, in particular, has faced adversity after being omitted from the club’s Champions League squad earlier in the season. Yet, the young Frenchman has shown remarkable resilience, scoring his first goal for Spurs in a 2-1 win at Leeds United just before the international break. Frank was quick to heap praise on the striker’s character, saying, “So I'm almost emotional about him. I'm so happy for him, I think the character he's shown from a young man just really impressed me from day one.”
Odobert, meanwhile, has mostly featured from the bench for Tottenham, despite being included in the Champions League squad. But his international form—four goals in two games—has surely given Frank food for thought. The manager’s belief in his young attackers is unwavering. “What I’m convinced about is that Tottenham have two very good players that I am very convinced will be very good for us over the next few years,” Frank remarked last month. That faith seems well-placed after this week’s exploits.
The tactical flexibility of both players was on full display during the international window. Tel led the line as a central striker for France U21s, while Odobert showed he can be just as effective on the right as he is on the left. This versatility could prove invaluable for Spurs, especially with the left-wing spot still up for grabs. While summer signing Mohammed Kudus has made the right flank his own, the competition for the opposite wing is heating up. With Randal Kolo Munai now fit and available, Frank faces a selection headache ahead of Sunday’s visit from Aston Villa.
France’s dominance over Estonia was never really in doubt. After surging to a two-goal lead inside 12 minutes, they squandered several chances before Estonia briefly threatened by pulling a goal back just before half-time, capitalizing on a rare error by French keeper Robin Risser. But the hosts responded with renewed intensity after the break. Eli Junior Kroupi, introduced at halftime, restored the two-goal cushion before Odobert’s double and Kroupi’s late strike put the result beyond doubt. Estonia’s Ott Nomm did his best to keep the scoreline respectable, but the gulf in class was simply too great.
The victory keeps France’s perfect start to the Euro U21 qualification campaign alive, with two wins from two and a goal difference that will have the rest of the group taking notice. For Estonia, it was a fifth straight game without a win—a sobering reminder of the challenge they face at this level.
Back at Tottenham, the international break has given Frank a welcome dilemma. Both Odobert and Tel have sent a pointed message with their performances: they are ready to step up and be difference-makers for Spurs. Their sharpness in front of goal, coupled with a hunger to impress, makes them dangerous weapons in any system. As one observer put it, “These are players who can change games. They are direct, inventive and eager to impress.”
With Aston Villa looming on the horizon, the big question is whether Frank will reward his young stars with more minutes. Tel’s confidence is sky-high after his recent exploits, and Odobert’s explosive flair could be just what Spurs need to unlock stubborn defenses. The competition for starting spots is fierce, but that’s exactly the kind of problem any manager wants to have.
As Spurs gear up for a crucial stretch of the season, the emergence of Odobert and Tel offers hope and excitement. Their international heroics have reignited the debate about Tottenham’s best attacking lineup—and if their form continues, it won’t be long before they’re lighting up the Premier League just as they have for France U21s. Sunday against Aston Villa can’t come soon enough for Tottenham fans eager to see their young guns in action.