The Premier League has come under criticism from one of its own players amid the current trend of set-piece importance.
Dominant league leaders Arsenal have come under-fire from outsiders for their set-piece focus - with Mikel Arteta's side having scored 19 goals directly from this (corners, free-kicks and/or throw-ins).
That tally is the most in the English top-flight this season with Newcastle second on the list, having scored five fewer set-pieces.
Tottenham are among a cluster of teams who have scored 13 set-pieces this season, but their forward Mathys Tel is not a fan of the style of football.
Speaking on the Zack Nani Foot & Live podcast, Tel didn't hold back - brandishing the Premier League as a 'zoo'.
'I'll tell you the truth, yes, it's [the Premier League] not a spectacle,' he said. 'It's boring to watch; it's really just a clash between two teams with their own ideas.
'There's less flair, no Vinicius pulling off a sombrero flick, no dribbling, no Kylian (Mbappe) unleashing a burst of speed.
'I'd say it's more structured, perhaps too much so, with clear strategies, all those set pieces, little details that can sometimes make the difference. But sometimes, you might think it's just too much.'
'The scuffles in the box in front of the goalkeepers? I told the assistant coach in charge of set pieces: "Don't put me on the marking". Because it's a zoo!
'We're all stuck together, everyone's pushing each other, throwing each other to the ground, holding on… Forget it. The goalkeeper can't get out, he can't see.'
Thankfully for Tel, Tottenham's next match isn't in the Premier League as they travel to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
Lapeimn
0
He is right if you grab hold of someone outside the box it's a foul or a yellow card if you do it inside the penalty box nothing make sense of that.
sasaeikopt
0
Guardiola has farmed EPL. EPL is a farmer's league. Even in his worst season ever, Pep is still competing for the trophy. Current Pep/city would be 5th or 6th in la Liga or seria A or in ligue 1
Koaaeiprst
1
forget abput set pieces you cant even score a direct assisted goal...waste of talent
SmithBradshaw1990
0
My Arsenal is tormenting everyone!
homdilpstz
3
How can epl be interesting when you are heading to championship?
homdilpstz
0
Our haters will fait while standing this season
wowadrsyz
0
the boy yes has failed to hit up at Tottenham but hes speaking the truth the EPL has changed this season with more emphasis on set pieces to decide games. even ball playing teams like arsenal, liverpool, city etc having joined hes not the only to have spoken about this but sometimes learn to check the stats for urself
yoybeiklrz
2
he is a loser and he even joined losers ..he can't even score in an empty net
poediklmru
0
What is this one saying. You don’t know what they call competitiveness
John-Edem
2
let him go and play sweet in the championship
ImoukhuedeGeorge
5
Nay the EPL is not a zoo but very competitive. Set pieces is part of the game and is an advantage to the team taking the set piece so is not a problem at all. The only negative thing is just the goalkeeper that needs protection or probably his own space to be and not players trying to push him and gain unfair advantage other than that is part of the game. Every team needs to learn how best to defend and stop playing victims
Ciuablmnyz
0
who is this fucking tel ,or telephone???
He touched a nerve with Little gen z
Zezesol400
3
Is dat new, premier league been boring 4 many past years just de rivalry en entertainment r within fans not coz ov gud football
resabekpst
4
Typical Tottering player, if you’re not good at it it’s bad for the game. I wonder why they are where they are.
Naokmptuz
4
As much as I like and rate the EPL higher, the poor and rough state of marking during Corners is bad and crazy. Over reliance on setpieces is not adding flair or great football to the league at all. Players can easily get weak and tired just because of taking set-pieces...push, dragging, holding, kicking and even obstructing/blocking the Goalkeepers is nonsensical as far as I am concerned. The EPL management need to review this.
rascdemnsu
3
who is this fucking tel ,or telephone???
vosikmptuz
2
All who criticize goals from set pieces are themselves boring, merely wanting to be heard. Such critiques are products of dull minds.
neycklopy
3
no wonder Tottenham is suffering this season,it bcuz of weakness like u
jatcekprtu
2
This Tel should be ashamed of himself and his Tottenham team.
Tocilostyz
0
Arteta ball WWE
bohbcdikmr
1
He’s 💯 spot on…EPL is zoo
Keyckmotz
2
Who is Tel to start with ? EPL is not for the weak yuh Weak lad 😂
Nukbmnpst
2
That guy is not a footballer,I wonder why why Tottenham went for him.Foofball is now cheap cuz u will see coconut sellers call themselves footballers
yeeceprtz
1
You've to fight to win& since you didn't that's why you're relegating Mr Tel
Pambdmnu
3
thank God this guy never join united
tudbdeimuz
1
play football and stop complaining
lababcdopr
0
this is the intended to win 🏆 the league
RayNation
2
your team is sink you're complaining of other team scoring from set piece