Romano: Spurs set for talks over “unbelievable” late deal, he’s far better than Werner
Ange Postecoglou has now spent a season and a half at Tottenham Hotspur, with his tenure bringing both excitement and challenges. Under his leadership, Spurs have developed into one of the most entertaining teams in European football.
However, their attacking approach, combined with recurring injuries, has often left them vulnerable. On the transfer front, Postecoglou has introduced top talents such as Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven, and Archie Gray, but not all signings have delivered the expected impact.
Timo Werner, for instance, has struggled to make a mark in North London. With that in mind, recent reports have linked Spurs to a potential upgrade in Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, a player who could be an ideal replacement for Werner.
According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are among several clubs, including Manchester United, that have inquired about signing Tel on loan for the remainder of the season. Talks are expected to commence soon, but the player is seeking assurances over game time.
Given Solanke’s injury, Spurs could provide him with the minutes he desires. Additionally, reports indicate that Bayern Munich might be open to selling Tel permanently for around £40 million. With growing interest from multiple clubs, Tottenham must act swiftly if they want to secure the young forward. Even if only on loan, Tel’s arrival could provide a much-needed boost to Spurs’ attack.
A direct comparison between Tel and Werner highlights why this move would make sense for Tottenham. At just 19, Tel has shown remarkable potential, significantly outperforming Werner in key attacking metrics.
During the previous season, Tel recorded 10 goals and six assists across 41 appearances, totaling 1,406 minutes. This translates to a goal involvement every 87.87 minutes or every 2.56 matches. In contrast, Werner has struggled, contributing just four goals and four assists in 28 matches this season. His 1,295 minutes on the pitch equate to a goal involvement every 161.87 minutes or every 3.5 games.
When delving deeper into their statistical performances, Tel consistently outshines Werner in multiple offensive categories. The French forward leads in critical areas such as non-penalty goal contributions, shots on target, goals per shot, successful take-ons, and goal-creating actions. Here’s a detailed comparison of their numbers from the start of last season to the present:
| Statistic | Mathys Tel | Timo Werner |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Penalty Expected G+As | 0.55 | 0.66 |
| Actual Non-Penalty G+As | 0.83 | 0.44 |
| Shots | 3.62 | 2.54 |
| Goals per Shot | 0.14 | 0.06 |
| Shots on Target | 1.37 | 0.85 |
| Goals per Shot on Target | 0.36 | 0.19 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 3.59 | 3.57 |
| Goal-Creating Actions | 0.97 | 0.56 |
| Successful Take-Ons | 3.33 | 1.43 |
(All stats via FBref for the 2023/24-2024/25 seasons)
The numbers make it clear—Tel is the superior player in almost every key attacking metric. His ability to create chances, take on defenders, and convert opportunities puts him far ahead of Werner. Additionally, at just 19 years old, he has plenty of room to develop, making him a long-term investment rather than just a short-term fix.
For Tottenham, securing Tel would not only strengthen their attack but also align with their philosophy of acquiring young, high-potential players. With Bayern open to negotiating either a loan or a permanent deal, Spurs have an opportunity to add a dynamic forward who could make an immediate impact while also serving as a valuable asset for the future.
Given the injuries affecting the squad, Postecoglou needs a reliable attacking option, and Tel fits the profile perfectly. If Tottenham can successfully navigate negotiations and convince the young Frenchman to join, they could be making one of the smartest signings of the transfer window.