'I'm not going to lie' - Super Eagles forward Tella reveals he's frustrated at Bayer Leverkusen

Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella has admitted that he's frustrated at German Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen due to a lack of playing opportunities. 

The Hale End Academy product joined Bayer Leverkusen from Southampton in the summer of 2023 for a fee in the region of 23 million euros.

In his first season at Bayer Leverkusen, he caught the eye, having registered eleven goal involvements in 39 all-competition appearances, and helped the Black and Reds win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

On the international stage, Tella was rewarded with a call-up to the Super Eagles and made a cap-tying appearance for Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe last November.

Despite impressing over the course of the 2023-2024 campaign, Tella has been unable to break into Bayer Leverkusen's starting lineup in the new season and was not called up to the Super Eagles squad for the internationals in September and October.

He has started just one game from a possible six in the Bundesliga in the new season, logging 224 minutes across all competitions.

Tella revealed that he has held clear-the-air talks with manager Xabi Alonso over his lack of playing time but was careful not to criticize the Spanish football tactician. 

In quotes relayed by German newspaper BILD, Tella was quoted a saying: "It's frustrating, to be honest. But I spoke to the coach. He assured me that I will get opportunities and that I have to be patient. 

"When I get a chance, I have to show myself. I think I've done well, and I also think I'm training well.

"Now it is up to the coach to have the confidence to use me. He makes the decisions - and they work well."

Although Tella offers versatility as he is capable of playing as a second striker, forward or attacking midfielder, he has stated that playing at wing-back is his least favorite position. 

The Nigeria national teamer was named in the starting lineup against VfB Stuttgart in the Supercup and the 4-1 win at TSG Hoffenheim last month, playing a role similar to that of Jeremie Frimpong.

"I had to play as a full-back. That's a part of the game that I don't fully understand yet. But I'm trying to learn, to improve, and everyone knows that.

"I've always said that I'm an attacker. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm a full-back. But when you play in a team like this, where there are no clear wingers, you have to make sacrifices and do what's best for the team.

"And when I play as a full-back, I do it as well as I can. When I play further forward - which I prefer - then I also do my best,” Tella concluded. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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