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Who Is Spurs Signing Mathys Tel?

Who Is Spurs Signing Mathys Tel?

Mathys Tel has been one of the most talked-about names of the transfer window.

The 19-year-old France under-21 forward has been linked with various clubs but, despite reportedly turning them down initially, has now joined Tottenham with the London club having the option to make the move permanent in the summer for £50m.

Manchester United and Chelsea showed an interest in him earlier this window, while Arsenal have also been linked with him this month.

Tel was described by then Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic as “one of the biggest talents in Europe” when the Bundesliga giants signed him from Rennes for around £23m in 2022.

But, two-and-a-half seasons on, and with just nine Bayern starts to his name, he has yet to fulfill that potential.

Tel joins a Spurs side who go into Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield with a 1-0 lead, still in the Europa League and FA Cup, but under pressure in the Premier League, sitting 14th.

‘A player who can create magic’ – what can Spurs expect?
What Tottenham fans can expect is an energetic and sometimes wild attacking player, who is great at tricking defenders with some real moments of skill.

His first touch is among his greatest strengths, while his decision-making and defensive awareness leave room for improvement.

He can create magic with the ball at his feet but he can also be out of position at inopportune moments.

If Tottenham decide to use him as a winger, they might field him mostly on the left side, as the right-footed Tel can drive into the middle of the field from there.

He is also keen on sprinting down the wing, but his ball control at a high tempo might not be crisp enough to avoid turnovers against talented full-backs.

Postecoglou could be tempted to try Tel as a striker but he would need a sturdier targetman alongside him, so he can pick up rebounds and occupy spaces that open up while his partner keeps the centre-backs busy.

It is still hard to tell how high Tel’s ceiling really is.

When he played regularly last season, his performances were inconsistent, though that was not surprising given his tender age and limited experience at the highest level.

Considering the finances that have been discussed in recent days, Tel still has it all to prove.

Tel’s unfulfilled potential
Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange travelled to Munich to watch Tel play 62 minutes for Bayern in their Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava last Wednesday.

On Friday, it was reported Tel had rejected a move to Spurs after Bayern Munich and Tottenham agreed a £50m transfer. He was left out of the squad for the Bundesliga game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday due to the ongoing rumours.

As early negotiations between Bayern and Manchester United then broke down and, following a conversation between Tel and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, the teenager decided he wanted to join Spurs.

In his first Bundesliga season, he was eased into senior football, registering five goals from one start and 21 substitute appearances.

He then caught fire at the start of his second season, scoring three goals and recording an assist in his first five Bundesliga games – all off the bench.

But, he still struggled to break into Bayern’s star-studded starting XI. He only made six starts, the first not until March 2024, and three of them coming in the final three games of the campaign with Bayern’s title defence already over.

This season he has made just two Bundesliga starts and has been left as an unused substitute on nine occasions. He has yet to score in a competitive game this campaign.

Why has Tel left Bayern Munich?
Just last week, Bayern’s hierarchy were praising Tel for his potential.

“Mathys is an unbelievably sought-after player. That’s why the transfer [from Rennes] was the right decision for Bayern,” Max Eberl, the club’s director of sport, said last Friday.

For quite some time neither Bayern nor Tel were willing to part ways, hoping the Frenchman would be able to break through at the club he joined with great hopes from Rennes in 2022.

However, his playing time was declining following the managerial change from Thomas Tuchel to Vincent Kompany during the summer.

Eberl said in the summer that Tel would feature more this campaign, but he has found himself in the role of a bit player. Kompany never delivered a clear-cut explanation for Tel’s limited role.

“It is just the case that there is always competition at Bayern,” Kompany said in December. “There are top players for every position. [Tel] actually does a very, very good job. This is a player we all love.”

One issue for the undoubtedly-talented Frenchman has been the fact that he is generally viewed as a winger.

Bayern possess several top-level wingers with international experience in Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry, making it difficult for Tel to claim a place in Kompany’s line-up.

At the same time, Tel has been rarely considered for the striker position, despite making a few brief appearances in that role.

Even when Harry Kane went down with a thigh injury in the German “Klassiker” between Bayern and Dortmund in late November, Tel did not fill the vacant striker role. Instead, Kompany used veteran Thomas Muller or even Jamal Musiala, a traditional number 10, up front.

While his playing time was alarmingly low until December, Tel remained determined to stay at Bayern despite growing interest from Premier League clubs and the German club were reluctant to sell.

But, after a late change of mind from both parties, Tel will now hope he gets more regular football in the Premier League.

BBC

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Why We’re Using Football As A Tool For National Unity – Comrade Onengiye Elekima

 

The organisers of the maiden edition of President Bola Tinubu U20 Unity football championship, Onengiye Elekima Foundation have come out to explain why they are using football as a tool to propagate their peace and unity agenda, in line with the avowed commitments of President Bola Tinubu towards engendering lasting peace, unity and progress ìn the country.

President and founder of the foundation, Comrade Onengiye Elekima, in a press statement explained that the forthcoming football championship would see male and female U20 football clubs from across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria, participate and battle for the grand prize money of N50 million.

He was quick however, to reiterate the drive behind the competition. According to the soft-spoken youth advocate, the competition is ostensibly targeted at giving the less privileged, the vulnerable and the seemingly maligned and particularly, the displaced members of the society, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to display their God-given talents.

“We’re very concerned about the lives of the less privileged and particularly, the people of the various IDP camps in the country,” he said.

“Nigeria is a very blessed nation in all of its ramifications and we believe there are millions of talented male and female youths in the villages, towns and even the IDP camps. The Onengiye Elekima Foundation, is set to seek them out and give them a lifetime opportunity to move out of the dark and become better persons by realising their dreams.

“And over several decades, football has become the most veritable tool for promotionbefore peace and unity in the world.  We know the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to engendering peace and unity in the country, and particularly, his love and determination to ensure the Nigerian youths are empowered and encouraged to positively channel their unbridled energies to the betterment of the society. That is why we have keyed into his policies for the youths. And what better tool than football,” he asked rhetorically.

He further disclosed that registration for the competition is free and ongoing, as interested clubsides can visit the dedicated website to download and fill the forms for participation via www.onengiyeelekimafoundation.org.ng

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Lagos SWAN Agrees To Unite As National President Isaiah Benjamin Visits, Parleys Members

 

Members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter met with the National Leadership of the Professional body with a view to find lasting solution to the lingering issues.

The meeting which held inside the SWAN Chapter Secretariat located within the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, had in attendance both Veterans and Young Sports Writing Practitioners, at the instance of SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin.

At the meeting, the President of SWAN while commending members of the sporting media at the Nigeria’s Commercial hub, recalled the high-octane vibrancy SWAN Lagos was known for, being the centerpiece of Journalism practice, particularly Sports Writing.

President Benjamin then urged all interests to sheath their swords and unite for the overall growth and well-being of the revered Association.

The number one sportswriter in Nigeria also reminded them of the need to join hands in restoring needed peace and be united as it were, adding, “For us at the National Executive Committee (NEC), we are committed to ensuring that the various 36 States and FCT Chapters are not only united but formidable.

“Everyone knows that yes all the Chapters are important, but Lagos is the hub of Journalism practice in Nigeria. So, as the privileged SWAN President today, I’m very much disturbed about what Lagos State Chapter has turned out to be in recent years. Since I took over, I haven’t rested. I have kept calling and engaging especially our veterans on best solution to the issues.

“It now for all SWAN members to join hands to restore the height SWAN is known for in Lagos and make it better. The good thing is that majority of Sports Writers, including the Elders are in agreement that there is need to reunite and, in few months, ahead make plans on to conduct fresh election.”

The SWAN President enjoined members to particularly rally round and allow the incumbent Chaper Executive led by Olatutu Oladunni to complete their tenure by October 2025 when a new election will be conducted, with an assurance that those who will form part of the Electoral Committee will be drawn from sides of the divide.

He also assured that the National Leadership will be unbiased in ensuring seamless process, just as it was done in FCT Chapter in 2024.

Some of the Elders and Young SWAN members who spoke during the meeting, including Mr. Kunle Salami, Mr. Patrick Ibeh, Mr. Victor Enyinnaya, Mr. Tony Ubani, Mrs Olatutu Oladunni, Mr. Enitan Obadina, Mrs Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, Mrs Blessing Nwosu, Mr. Bello Omotunde, Mr. Kaseem Ajibola Mr. Oni Afolabi, Mr. Taiwo Adelu among others were one in echoing that the togetherness of the Association will go a long way in ensuring that the upcoming election in Lagos will be successful.

A number of NEC members including National Ex-Officio Mr. Abiodun Ogundipe, National Treasurer Mr. Femi Amusan, Vice President South-West zone Mr. Ayodeji Ogunsakin and Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo as well as South-West zonal Secretary Mr. Charles Ogundiya accompanied the SWAN President to the meeting.

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14th CAF EGA: Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick favoured to retain FIFA Council seat

 

 

 

 

Nigeria’s Amaju Melvin Pinnick is highly favoured to retain his seat as a member of the 37-person FIFA Council – the supreme governing-organ for world football – when elections are conducted at the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.

 

The debonair football administrator is at the forefront of the race alongside Moroccan Fouzi Lekjaa and Egyptian Hany Abou Rida, with 10 persons to battle for the available five seats when the poll is called inside the Marriott Mena House on Wednesday morning.

 

Africa has seven seats on the FIFA Council, with the sitting CAF President’s position guaranteed. One of the seven seats is reserved for a woman, and here, CAF’s sitting 5th vice president Kanizat Ibrahim from the Comoros Islands will slug it out with sitting member Isha Johansen from Sierra Leone.

 

The contest for the FIFA Council seats will certainly be the fiercest ever, with Ivorian Yacine Idriss Diallo, Senegal’s Augustin Senghor, Niger Republic’s Djibrilla ‘Pele’ Hima Hamidou, Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga, Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya, Benin Republic’s Mathurin De Chacus and Djibouti’s Souleman Hassan Waberi also in the poll.

 

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who is also unchallenged for a second term at African football’s helm, keeps his seat without any sweat, but will watch keenly as only half of the contestants, all strong and deft politicians in their own rights, make it to the esteemed FIFA Council.

 

Each of the 54 Member Associations will have the opportunity to vote five persons in the densely-populated male category, and one of the two women. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who will vote on behalf of Nigeria, landed in Cairo on Sunday in company with the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

 

The Government of Nigeria, which publicly endorsed Pinnick’s candidacy through the Presidency in July 2024, is robustly represented, with Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade on ground.

 

There were indications on Tuesday morning that Mauritania’s Yahya may also sail through in the contest at the extraordinary general assembly that begins at 9am Nigeria time.

 

Unlike the elections into the FIFA Council, the race for seats into the CAF Executive Committee has been weakened by zonal arrangements that have seen single candidates emerge in most zones, except the southern African region where firestorms are expected.

 

South African mining billionaire Motsepe comes from the COSAFA region where four candidates viz, Elvis Chetty (Seychelles), Alfred Randriamanampisoa (Madagascar), Mohamed Ally Samir (Mauritius) and Feizal Ismael Sidat (Mozambique), battle for two seats.

 

Elsewhere, Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o Fils, who needed the intervention of the Court of Arbitration for Sports to be reinstated on the ballot, is the sole candidate for the UNIFFAC (Central Africa) region, as Mustapha Ishola Raji (Liberia) for the WAFU A zone; Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku for the WAFU B zone and; Algeria’s Sadhi Walid for the UNAF (North Africa) zone.

 

The only female seat is also uncontested, with Congolese Bestine Kazadi the only candidate on the ballot.

 

FIFA Council Poll: Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria); Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco); Hany Abou Rida (Egypt); Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania); Yacine Idriss Diallo (Cote d’Ivoire); Augustin Senghor (Senegal); Djibrilla ‘Pele’ Hima Hamidou (Niger Republic), Andrew Kamanga (Zambia), Mathurin De Chacus (Benin Republic) and; Souleman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti).

 

Female Seat: Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros); Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone)

 

CAF Exco Poll: Samuel Eto’o (UNIFFAC, unchallenged); Sadhi Walid (UNAF, unchallenged); Mustapha Ishola Raji (WAFU A, unchallenged); Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (WAFU B, unchallenged); Elvis Chetty (COSAFA); Alfred Randriamanampisoa (COSAFA), Mohamed Ally Samir (COSAFA) and; Feizal Ismael Sidat (COSAFA)

 

Female Seat: Bestine Kazadi (DR Congo)

 

 

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