Ange Postecoglou insists Mathys Tel is “100 per cent” committed to Tottenham after the French forward completed a loan move from Bayern Munich, despite initially hesitating earlier in the January transfer window.
Spurs were active in the final hours of deadline day, strengthening their injury-hit squad by signing Tel and defender Kevin Danso.
The 19-year-old, who had been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, ultimately chose Tottenham, with the club securing an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool, Postecoglou defended Tel’s decision to take his time before committing to the move.
“It’s not so much that he rejected us or rejected anyone else,” the Spurs boss explained. “Rightly so, he was getting as much information as possible.”
The Australian coach believes Tottenham is the ideal place for Tel to develop.
“I had a conversation with him, and mine was purely around the football,” Postecoglou said. “I think he’ll find a really great place here in terms of where he is in his career.
“He obviously wants to play, and we’ve already shown that irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity here. The way we play will suit him.”
When asked if Tel was fully committed to Spurs, Postecoglou had no doubts.
“Yes, 100 percent. I am more than 100 per cent sure because he took so much time and was so diligent about finding out everything before deciding on us.
“He had options, and that gave me even more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.”
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