The drama surrounding Mathys Tel around deadline day of the winter transfer window was extraordinary. With the 19-year-old making the decision to leave Bayern Munich just days before the window closing, long standing interest from Arsenal FC, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur was re-ignited and led to a dramatic race for the French top talent. In the end, Tottenham were the ones to secure Tel’s signature, though not before they had been rejected a few days prior despite Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy flying over to seal the deal himself.
So what happened? Why did Tel do such a dramatic U-turn? Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (try saying that name three times fast), who held a conversation with the youngster that was said to have changed his mind, gave his opinion on the matter:
“People need to understand we’re talking about a 19-year-old player with a major decision. It’s not so much about rejecting us or anyone. He wanted to be comfortable with the decision. He didn’t want to be pushed in a certain direction, credit to him,” the Greek born manager said, via @iMiaSanMia. “I had a conversation with him and purely around the football and that I think he’ll find a great place here in terms of where he is in his career. We’ve shown irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity, and the way we play will suit him and what we have in the next few months and beyond, it’s a perfect fit.
“It is right that it took as long as it did so he’s comfortable with it. That he took so much time and was diligent, and made the decision when he had options, it meant the right mentality, right player, he’s ambitious, with self belief and self confidence and feels he can reach the very top.”
So...it was a mix between making a difficult decision at an age notorious for poor decision making, not wanting to be pushed around by others (Was it Bayern pushing him to make the move? Tottenham? Both?) and taking the time to make the most informed decision. That sounds about right.
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