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Opinion
The interesting Mathys Tel detail nobody is talking about at Tottenham
Tottenham fans are hoping to see Mathys Tel cause havoc for opponents after the forward arrived on loan from Bayern Munich.
Signed by Bayern Munich from Rennes for £25m at the age of just 17, the Frenchman is a precocious attacking talent – one the German giants hoped would become elite on their watch – but fierce competition for places at the Allianz Arena up against the likes of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry has now led him to Spurs.
The France U21 international should help Tottenham immensely in attack, although problems remain for Ange Postecoglou in the centre of defence, with Cristian Romero still absent, fresh doubts over Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin now out for the season.
However, there is something about Mathys Tel nobody is talking about which could help Spurs in this respect.
Mathys Tel used to be a centre-back
Interestingly, the 19-year-old actually used to be a central defender.
Now, we are by no means suggesting Postecoglou should throw Tel into the backline to cover for the aforementioned absences, but the fact the teenager possesses some knowledge of the position should help Spurs in the latter stages of games, when all hands are needed on deck to grind out a result.
The Bundesliga made a nod to this detail about the Sarcelles-born striker on their official website, writing: “Although he is clearly an accomplished forward with oodles of pace, dazzling ball skills and a knack for curling spectacular strikes with his cultured right boot, Tel actually started his footballing career as a centre-back. His confidence both with and without the ball, as well as his ability to read the game, made him an excellent stopper, but as his physique and skills developed, it became clear that his considerable gifts could be better used much closer to goal.”
They add that the new Tottenham No.11 has also played in central midfield before, so his versatility is certainly impressive.
Where Ange Postecoglou plans to use Mathys Tel at Tottenham
Tel – who Chelsea tried to sign – played on the left, right and centrally for Bayern Munich and France, leaving many to wonder where Spurs plan to use him.
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En club ou en sélection, il ne faut pas beaucoup de temps à 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙮𝙨 𝙏𝙀𝙇 pour faire la différence 👊🔥
Postecoglou is seemingly yet to decide on just one position, saying that he will need the Frenchman to operate anywhere across the frontline given the injury problems in that department.
The Australian said: “Archie Gray wanted to be a central midfielder, so who knows where he’ll (Tel) end up. He’s got the attributes to play as a No.9 for sure. He’s played wide well for sure. At the moment we’re probably going to need him in all those areas.”