January 30th 2025.
Mathys Tel's skills on the field are so impressive that top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, are all vying for a chance to sign him from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window. The 19-year-old French teenager, who has already garnered comparisons to Kylian Mbappe, has caught the attention of these elite clubs with his ability to play in various attacking positions.
Tel's versatility in attack is what makes him such a desirable player for these clubs. He is able to adapt to the tactical needs of the team, making him a valuable asset on the field. While he primarily operates as a left winger, he is also comfortable playing on the right side and can even be deployed as a centre-forward. In a 2023 interview, Tel stated, "I'm somewhere between a number nine and a left winger. I can also play on the right, but I'm more comfortable as a striker and on the left."
Tel's adaptability also allows him to play as a "false winger," where he can work as a traditional wideman and drift centrally to act as a second striker. This is how Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca would most likely utilize Tel if they were to win the transfer race against Arsenal and United.
The young star has already drawn comparisons to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, and it's not hard to see why. Both players had similar paths in their early careers and possess similar styles of play. They are known for their speed, dribbling skills, finishing ability, and versatility in attack. In fact, when Tel first joined Bayern three years ago, he was even dubbed a "mini-Mbappe" by fans.
Tel's journey to becoming one of Europe's most exciting teenagers began in his youth career, playing for several French clubs before joining Rennes' academy in 2020. He made his debut for the Ligue 1 club a year later, becoming the youngest player to ever appear in an official match for them. However, his time at Rennes was short-lived as Bayern paid £24m to sign him in July 2022.
As a young striker, Tel looks up to his Bayern teammate Harry Kane as a role model. He admires the England international's skills and sees him as someone to learn from. Tel even revealed, "He just comes over to me and tells me: 'Mathys, you can do that, or that.' He's a role model to me, and he is helping me a lot."
While Tel's stats may not seem impressive at first glance, with only one assist and no goals in 13 appearances for Bayern this season, they don't tell the full story. The youngster has been limited to late, cameo appearances under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, which is why he is determined to leave the German side this month in search of more playing time.
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