Tottenham Hotspur have completed the loan signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich until the end of the season. The deal includes an option to buy Tel for €55million (£45.7m; $56.9m) on a six-year contract. Tel is Spurs’ fourth signing of the window after goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, forward Yang Min-hyeok and centre-back Kevin Danso (also on loan).
Our writers — experts in transfers, tactics, data and football finance — have come together to rate January’s senior Premier League transfers. This continues the project we launched last summer, but we have also made some significant tweaks to how we assess each deal.
Gone are the five scores out of 100, and in their place are 10 ratings out of 50. This should allow for much more nuance to be reflected in the analysis and, importantly, much more variability in the overall figure each transfer ends up with. Follow the link below for more background on the changes.
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Tactical fit — 35/50
Tel brings plenty of admirable qualities to the table. While best suited to the left inside forward role in Ange Postecoglou’s system, he is versatile and can operate across the frontline.
The 19-year-old is an explosive dribbler, capable of causing damage when receiving passes while in motion thanks to his mostly reliable first touch. From a standstill, Tel can be predictable due to his preference to drive inwards on his stronger right foot, but his pace and trickery have allowed him to escape tight areas with ease. Spurs require that injection of pace and Tel can be deadly in transition.
The France Under-21 international moves well off the ball and has decent link-up play, though there is room for improvement.
The issues with Tel are in the rawness of his abilities. As a footballer at the start of his senior career, his decision-making is not the best and he often dribbles forward with the idea of getting a shot away at some point. It results in him missing open team-mates and attempting low-quality opportunities, with Tel averaging just 0.09 expected goals per shot during the 2023-24 Bundesliga season. To his credit, his passing improved in the second half of the season.
Tel is at his best with and without the ball when he is confident, and nothing breeds confidence like regular minutes and reduced pressure. He got neither at Bayern, where expectations sky-rocketed after a fast start under Julian Nagelsmann.
Tel joins Spurs with Son Heung-min on a decent run of form, Wilson Odobert on the verge of return from injury and Mikey Moore making a case for himself. All of that complicates his chances of regular minutes in his favoured position.
As a centre-forward, Tel has the qualities Postecoglou demands but has not played there frequently enough to suggest he can consistently deliver goals.
Tel has plenty of potential, but there are rough edges to sand out if Spurs are to see the best of him during this loan deal.
Injury record — 46/50
Tel has not had any major injuries during his short senior career and has missed just six games due to fitness issues since the start of the 2022-23 season.
Market value — 40/50
A loan deal presents great value for Spurs given Tel has not played enough this season and for Tel as he receives more minutes to aid his development.
Contract rationale – 42/50
While it initially seemed as though Spurs would be signing Tel on a straight loan, they actually have an option to buy built into the deal. Spurs have the rest of the season to assess him, before deciding whether to commit €55million (£45.7m; $56.9m) or tie him down to a six-year contract. This allows them to try before they buy — and the length of the contract they have agreed means they’re tying a young player down for many years if they decide he’s worth the money.
Recent form – 13/50
Tel found himself low on Bayern’s pecking order this season, resulting in just four starts in 14 appearances across competitions and 14 games watched on from the bench. He has just one assist in 458 minutes of action this season.
Gap-filling – 45/50
Spurs’ attack has been decimated by injuries this season. Dominic Solanke, Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are all out injured, while Richarlison, Moore and Son have spent time on the sidelines too.
Postecoglou’s team needed depth and Tel’s versatility gives them a necessary weapon as they aim to rise in the Premier League table and go deep in the cup competitions.
Excitement factor – 27/50
Tel’s initial rejection of a permanent move to Spurs may linger in fan memory but he will likely be welcomed with relief and excitement as he fills an important squad need.
Future-proofing – 38/50
The loan should help Spurs in the short term while giving them evidence on how well-suited Tel is to the Premier League, with Spurs searching for Son’s long-term successor.
Rival impact – 34/50
The Athletic reported that Tel attracted interest from Manchester United, who are Spurs’ rivals in the Europa League and sit just two points above them in the league table, while Chelsea made an enquiry for him too. Spurs will be pleased to have strengthened while preventing two of their rivals from doing so.
Marketability – 12/50
Tel is unlikely to come with too much marketing potential, though another youthful signing is good for Spurs’ overall profile.
Overall rating — 332/500
(Top photo: Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)