One To Watch: Tuchel can Tel Bayern ace Mathys is the real deal

Bayern Munich made a splash by signing Harry Kane during the summer but another of their forwards is also making a good impression.

Eyebrows were raised when the Bundesliga champions snapped up the inexperienced Mathys Tel from Rennes last year but his potential is becoming increasingly obvious.

After a promising start to the season, we turn the spotlight on Bayern's whizkid.

Conveyor belt

Tel is the latest talent off the French conveyor belt, featuring for several Parisian academies before signing for Rennes in 2020.

And despite making only 10 senior appearances for the Ligue 1 club, scoring no goals, Bayern still saw enough to reportedly spend around £20million to bring him to the Bundesliga in July 2022.

Moussa Diaby and Christopher Nkunku are examples of Paris-born talent that have taken their careers to a new level in Germany and the 18-year-old is well on his way to following their example.

He made 28 appearances in his first season for the Bavarians, scoring six goals, and has already added a couple more to his tally this term.

Late developer

Tel's development into an offensive player was hardly conventional.

The Frenchman was still playing as a centre-back when the deal to sign for Rennes was done but has inched further up the field since then.

By the time he became Rennes' youngest ever player, aged 16 years and three months, he was definitely a forward, though, and it is his attacking prowess that convinced Bayern to part with a considerable fee.

After a solid start to this season, the potential they have invested in appears to be translating into consistent performances.

Perfect role

While Tel was still too wet behind the ears to immediately replace Robert Lewandowski at the Allianz Arena last summer, his role as Kane's deputy in this season's squad suits him nicely.

Kane is Thomas Tuchel's leading striker, and will start the majority of matches he is available for, but the teen talent can gain valuable minutes as a regular substitute and occasional stand-in.

His cameos do not just develop him as a player but make a genuine difference to Bayern's fortunes.

Tel scored an 87th-minute winner at Borussia Monchengladbach last Saturday, preserving their perfect start to the Bundesliga season.

Explosive quality

Tel's eye for goal and explosive shooting have stood out so far this season, particularly in his strike away at Werder Bremen on the opening night.

The forward picked up the ball on the side of the penalty area before unleashing a ferocious drive into the net, an unusual example of a goalkeeper being unable to do anything with a shot at his near post.

And while Tuchel is aware that Tel needs nurturing, he is also excited by his young attacker's attributes.

He said: "We can see the qualities he has. 

"He's got explosiveness and is really good at finishing. He needs to keep those."

With Tuchel's men targeting trophies at home and on the continent this season, Tel will have plenty of chances to shine.