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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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Paul Pogba: “I’m Coming Back” – French Star Set Return Date

Paul Pogba: "I'm Coming Back" - French Star Set Return Date

Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United midfield maestro, has set tongues wagging with a tantalising hint about his imminent return to professional football following an 18-month hiatus due to a doping ban.

The French World Cup winner, who once graced the hallowed turf of Old Trafford with his flamboyant style and mercurial talent, found himself embroiled in controversy whilst plying his trade for Italian giants Juventus.

Pogba was initially slapped with a four-year suspension after traces of testosterone, a prohibited substance, were detected in his system. However, the midfielder’s unwavering assertion of innocence bore fruit as he successfully appealed the decision, resulting in a reduced ban of 18 months.

Pogba’s declaration that the incident “was not intentional” resonated with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who ultimately sided with the player’s plea. This reduction in his ban has opened the door for the 31-year-old to contemplate a return to the beautiful game as early as March 2025.

As Pogba’s enforced absence from the pitch nears its conclusion, the football world has been abuzz with speculation regarding his next destination. The termination of his contract with Juventus has rendered him a free agent, allowing him to explore a plethora of options for the next chapter in his illustrious career.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, Pogba took to Instagram on Saturday, 15 February, to share a series of images showcasing his rigorous training regime.

The slideshow, which depicted the midfielder pushing himself to the limit in the gym, was accompanied by a cryptic caption that read: “I’m coming back,” followed by a football emoji and a charged-battery emoji. This tantalising message has left fans and pundits alike pondering the possibilities that lie ahead for the enigmatic Frenchman.

Whilst rumours of a sensational return to Manchester United have circulated, with club legend Rio Ferdinand even entertaining the notion on his YouTube channel, stating, “I’d also have a look [if he’s in a position to be re-signed],” the likelihood of such a move materialising appears slim. Despite the current midfield conundrum facing United’s manager Ruben Amorim, a reunion between Pogba and the Red Devils seems improbable at this juncture.

Instead, the prevailing whispers suggest that Pogba’s future may lie across the Atlantic in Major League Soccer. Reports from Fichajes indicate that the Frenchman is engaged in advanced negotiations with Charlotte FC, a move that could potentially see him link up with another former United star, Wilfried Zaha.

As the football world eagerly anticipates Pogba’s return to action, questions abound regarding his ability to recapture the form that once made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football.

Will the enforced break have dulled his skills, or will it have reinvigorated his passion for the game? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Paul Pogba’s comeback will be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow in the coming months.

For Manchester United supporters, the prospect of Pogba donning the famous red shirt once more may be nothing more than a distant dream.

However, his impending return to football serves as a reminder of the indelible mark he left on the club during his time at Old Trafford. As he prepares to embark on the next phase of his career, the footballing world watches with bated breath, eager to see if the mercurial Frenchman can once again weave his magic on the pitch and remind us all of the prodigious talent that once made him one of the most exciting players of his generation.

redmancunian.com

 

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‘I’m Frustrated’ – Amorim Laments As Man Utd Lose Again

'I'm Frustrated' - Amorim Laments As Man Utd Lose Again

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his job is “so hard” after defeat at Tottenham left his side 15th in the Premier League.

The Portuguese coach oversaw an eighth loss in 12 league games as James Maddison’s 13th-minute goal gave Spurs victory.

The Red Devils once again struggled, although Amorim is having to contend with a 12-man injury list that led to him having to fill his bench with youngsters.

Amorim, 40, has provided a number of honest post-match news conferences since joining United and was once again in trademark form on Sunday.

“I have a lot of problems,” he told Sky Sports. “My job is so hard but I am here to continue my job to the next week with my beliefs and I will try to win again.”

Despite his side being behind for more than 70 minutes, Amorim did not make a change until the first minute of stoppage time, when he brought on 17-year-old Chido Obi.

The forward was one of eight teenagers on the bench and Amorim suggested after the game that he did not send more on during the game as he did not want to hinder their development.

“It is the hardest competition in the world,” he told BBC Sport.

“I am trying to be careful with them. I felt the team was pushing for the goal and I felt I don’t want to change. But they will play.

“I am here to help my players. I understand my situation, my job, I am confident on my work and I just want to win games.

“The place in the table is my worry, I am not worried about me.”

 

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What Danish-Nigerian wonderkid Chido Obi Said After Senior Debut For Manchester United

Denmark U17 international of Nigerian descent, Chido Obi took to social media to share his thoughts after making his official debut for Premier League giants Manchester United.

Wearing the number 56 on the back of his jersey, the Manchester United wonderkid entered he game as a substitute in the closing minutes, replacing Casemiro, as the visitors searched for an equalizer in a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

By making his senior debut for Manchester United, Obi followed in the footsteps of Odion Ighalo and Shola Shoretire, players of Nigerian descent who previously played for the first team of the Red Devils.

The 17-year-old joined Manchester United last summer after rejecting a scholarship deal at Arsenal and went on to sign his first professional contract in November 2024.

Despite spending only three minutes on the pitch, Obi was praised by Manchester Unite manager manager Ruben Amorim after the game.

Sharing a post on Instagram, Obi thanked Manchester United and Ruben Amorim.

“Disappointed with the loss on a personal note thanks to the gaffer & the club for making a dream come true for me and my family,” he said.

Obi has been in impressive form for United’s youth teams this season, scoring fifteen goals in all competitions, including his recent hat-trick against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup.

The dual-national forward is Manchester United’s 252nd academy graduate.

Allnigeriasoccer

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