How Chelsea would line up with Mathys Tel

Chelsea are reportedly in talks to sign Bayern Munich wonderkid Mathys Tel before the end of the January transfer window.

The Blues are long-term admirers of Tel and they were heavily linked with a move last summer following his limited role at the Allianz Arena during the 2023-24 campaign.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea are locked in negotiations over a possible deal for Tel, although the France U21 international is reportedly determined to succeed at Bayern.

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Furthermore, Christoph Freund, Bayern’s sporting director, has confirmed that his side are eager to retain Tel this month.

He told Sky Germany: “He [Tel] is a great talent and an important player for us, expected to take on a key role in the future. This is why we started talks with him before Christmas – Vinny [Kompany], Max [Eberl], and I – with the player and his agent.

“The clear goal for all involved is for Mathys to make his breakthrough here with us.”

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However, Tel has only started nine Bundesliga games since joining Bayern from Stade Rennais in 2022 and with Christopher Nkunku tipped to move in the opposition direction, a Chelsea switch appears to be on the cards.

If the French youngster does join Enzo Maresca’s side in January, how will he fit in?

How Chelsea would line up with Mathys Tel

Robert Sanchez has established himself as Maresca’s first-choice goalkeeper so far this season and the Spaniard is unlikely to lose his place before the end of the campaign.

The injury prone duo of Reece James and Wesley Fofana remain in Chelsea’s full strength starting XI, with Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella expected to retain their places at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo appear to have finally adapted to playing alongside each other, and will therefore keep their spots in central midfield, while Cole Palmer is still the shining light of Chelsea’s team.

Pedro Neto will soon face competition from Estevao Willian, but he will keep his place as Chelsea’s right winger, with Tel potentially displacing Jadon Sancho on the opposite flank.

Sancho has impressed since arriving in west London from Manchester United, however Tel is currently best suited to playing as a left winger and he will expect regular first-team starts if he agrees to join Chelsea in January.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line. Tel can feature as a central striker, although it’s likely he would be embedded into the Chelsea squad by starting his Stamford Bridge career as a winger.

Chelsea’s starting XI with Mathys Tel

GK: Robert Sanchez

RB: Reece James

CB: Wesley Fofana

CB: Levi Colwill

LB: Marc Cucurella

CM: Moises Caicedo

CM: Enzo Fernandez

RW: Pedro Neto

CAM: Cole Palmer

LW: Mathys Tel

ST: Nicolas Jackson