Both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were very busy towards the tail end of the transfer window, even if it was for different reasons.
Tottenham were determined to improve Ange Postecoglou’s squad and Chelsea were attempting to trim down Enzo Maresca’s at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, the London rivals were also embroiled in some negotiations over centre-back Axel Disasi who eventually moved to Aston Villa on loan instead.
Tottenham wanted Disasi even after recruiting Kevin Danso given that Radu Dragusin has just suffered a season-ending injury.
Spurs tried hard to sign Disasi, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
And whilst Chelsea were relatively quiet on deadline day in terms of incomings, they did try to snatch one deal away from Tottenham at the last minute according to reports in France.
Chelsea made a late attempt to steal Mathys Tel from Tottenham
According to L’Equipe, Chelsea actually made a late play to sign Mathys Tel before he arrived in N17 to sign for Tottenham on loan until the end of the season.
Tottenham signed Tel with an option to buy, an exciting youngster who Bayern Munich didn’t expect to lose at the beginning of the window.
But according to the report, Chelsea tried to hijack Tel’s loan move to Spurs when he was waiting at the airport to fly to London.
Unfortunately for Maresca’s side, it was too late and Tel had already chosen a move to north London.
Of course, Spurs’ rivals Arsenal were also interested in a move for Tel in the final days of the window.
But ultimately Arsenal decided not to pursue Tel, a club who have gambled on the fitness of Kai Havertz for the rest of the season.
Tel could make his Tottenham debut at Anfield
Given Tel has arrived at Tottenham, it will now be interesting to see if he immediately starts against Liverpool in the club’s crucial second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Postecoglou might replace Richarlison with Tel, aware that scoring one or two goals might be crucial to progressing in the tie.
Spurs take a 1-0 lead to Anfield but Liverpool have scored in every single home game this season barring their defeat to Nottingham Forest in September, which went down as a bit of an anomaly.
Of course, Kevin Danso could also come into the eleven, perhaps at the expense of Archie Gray.
Postecoglou may even decide to deploy a back three – given that he does now have the luxury of some choice.
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