Tella opens up on Leverkusen tactical role: “I'm not a wingback, but I've spoken to the coach.”

In situation somewhat reminiscent of that of FC Bayern München fullback Alphonso Davies, Nigerian attacker Nathan Tella found himself rather unfairly typecast in an unfamiliar tactical role in German football. When an early-match injury forced Jeremie Frimpong out of action against Leipzig last January, Tella deputized as a makeshift right wingback. Since then, the role has largely stuck for the former Southhampton attacker Leverkusen courted so intensively during the summer of 2023.

In an interview published in the Monday print edition of Germany’s Kicker Magazine, Tella admitted that he hadn’t quite expected matters to work out that way. Frimpong’s unexpected stay with the defending German champions has left Tella lower on the depth chart than he initially envisioned. The Nigerian has made only five appearances for Germany’s red company team this year. In his lone league start (against Hoffenheim on match-day four), he had to play at right wingback. 

Tella remains more naturally suited to the right attacking flank; at the very least working directly behind the main forward as a buttressing support attacker. The player’s frustration with Bayer this year has been somewhat compounded by the fact that the defending champs made a point of acquiring Martin Terrier this offseason. Tella presently sits behind Terrier, Amine Adli, and even out-of-form German right-flanker Jonas Hofmann on the current depth chart. 

“I have to play as a wing-back, which is a part of the game that I don’t yet fully understand,” Tella noted in the Kicker interview, “Everyone knows I’m doing my best and trying to improve. I would be lying if I said that I am a wing-back. I have always said that I am a forward. But when you play on a team like this, then you have to make sacrifices.”

“When I play as a wing-back, I do it as well as I can,” Tella continued, “And when I play further forward – which I prefer – I also do my best to get even more chances there. I’ll be honest, it’s frustrating. But I’ve spoken to the coach. He told me that I’ll get opportunities, that I should be patient and then take my chance. Now it’s up to the coach to have the confidence to bring me on.”