Why Chelsea have fallen behind Arsenal in race for window’s most in-demand attacker | OneFootball

The idea that Bayern Munich talent Mathys Tel would be moving this window seemed to have been totally shut down just a couple of weeks ago.

All sources were pointing to him staying in Munich to continue his development, with the German giants delighted and Vincent Kompany ready to reward him with more playing time. However since then things have changed, and several consecutive games in a row stuck on the bench seems to have convinced Tel he needs to bail – sooner rather than later.

Last night things got even hotter still, with Fabrizio Romano dropping the bomb that Tel “has just decided to leave Bayern in January.”

Chelsea were the only team named in that Tweet, getting fans very excited. But today’s news isn’t as hot for the Blues. TeamTalk are reporting that Tel has “snubbed” Chelsea as he doesn’t feel that “a move to Stamford Bridge is best for his development.”

Meanwhile Arsenal have come into the race, and by all accounts he’s taking their interest very seriously. While the project Mikel Arteta has established there has regressed a little this season, it’s still a very solid foundation, and one can see why Tel might be interested.

Arsenal’s project more tempting for young talent

Mathys Tel with a Chelsea logo. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

The Gunners are looking for a dangerous wide player to be the final piece of the puzzle on the left for them. Tel’s arrival could spark something really special.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are buying one or two wingers in every window and not figuring out how to make them work – hence the fact they’re interested in Tel in the first place. We can see just why the 19 year old might be more tempted by their project than ours.

It’s another sign of the failings of the last few years that we’re no longer a top destination for these sort of players.