Thomas Frank decision shows £25m man has jumped up Tottenham pecking order

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Tottenham Hotspur fans are looking forward to Champions League football returning to N17 this season, with Thomas Frank’s men to host Villarreal later this month.

Spurs are back in Europe’s top tournament after winning the Europa League last season, with the North London club set to be put through their paces against the best teams on the continent.

Tottenham signed Xavi Simons and a host of other new players over the summer, meaning the squad Frank has inherited is stronger than the one Ange Postecoglou relinquished.

However, this increase in competition for places has led to a tough decision when Tottenham were selecting their Champions League squad.

Mathys Tel left out of Champions League squad

With Tottenham confirming their Champions League squad earlier this week, the omission of summer signing Mathys Tel will have raised a few eyebrows.

The France under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan with Spurs and is a player with a big future ahead of him.

However, it remains to be seen where Tel will most frequently operate for Tottenham, as the former Bayern Munich man can play as a left winger or central striker.

But, with the late loan addition of Randal Kolo Muani, it appears that Tel has slipped down Frank’s pecking order.

Wilson Odobert included in squad

While Tel’s omission was down to more competition for places at Tottenham, the fact his compatriot Wilson Odobert was included may also raise questions.

The former Burnley man has struggled for form and fitness since joining Spurs for £25 million last summer, but like Tel can play in a number of positions in the attacking third.

Tel will feel slightly aggrieved that Odobert is included in the Champions League squad and he is not, especially given his reputation after signing from Bayern Munich.

However, for Tel, not being in the European squad will surely mean more opportunities in the Premier League, which he must grasp with two hands.