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New York Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Mathys Tel might just have the makings of an ideal Thomas Frank winger
Thomas Frank's spell at Brentford will be remembered for many things. First and foremost, he took the west London club, who were in League One as recently as 2013-14, to the Premier League for the first time. Once they reached England's top flight, he was the primary figure in ensuring they stayed there, reinforcing their reputation as one of the country's best-run clubs. And, perhaps most importantly for Tottenham Hotspur, he developed a group of talented young players into Premier League stars. Advertisement Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma, Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are now all international regulars, having made their names at Brentford. Now, he is challenged with doing the same for the catalogue of young players at his disposal in north London. Mathys Tel is the most recent addition to a promising group of youngsters, including Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray. Over 20 appearances last season on loan under Ange Postecoglou, Tel demonstrated enough potential to persuade Spurs to sign him permanently from Bayern Munich on June 15, with Tottenham renegotiating the initial €55million (£45.7m; $56.9m) buy option down to €35million (plus €10m in potential bonuses) to secure the France Under-21 international on a six-year contract. '(I'm) very, very excited about Mathys signing a permanent deal,' Frank said in an interview with the club's website this week. 'I think he's a very talented player who can play across the front four positions. 'He's a goalscorer, that we can develop even further, and be even more consistent in his all-round game and also more consistent to land in the right positions in the box. I'm looking forward to it.' Despite scoring on his first start against Aston Villa, it took a while for Tel to find his feet in north London. With Tottenham's first and second-choice strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison sidelined through injury, Tel was thrown in at centre-forward. It's not a position he is entirely unfamiliar with, having previously deputised there at club and age-group national level, but it soon became apparent he lacked the experience and physicality to carry out that role effectively in the Premier League. As Postecoglou started to rest his typical starters in the league, leaning towards prioritising the Europa League, Tel started featuring more consistently on the wings, improving his performance. Advertisement A three-game stretch in April, where Tel scored in successive games against Southampton and Wolves before shining against Nottingham Forest at home, provided the impetus to finish the season strongly. While he could not prevent a 2-1 defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo's side, Tel created five chances and was a persistent threat, along with club and international team-mate Odobert, demonstrating his ability to impact matches at that level. Still, having not set the world alight on loan, registering two goals and two assists from 13 league matches, Spurs are buying Tel with a view to the player he could become. Fortunately for the club, Frank's track record suggests he could be the ideal coach to help Tel realise his potential. The list of forwards who have reached new heights under Frank is impressive, but Mbeumo's evolution is the most relevant when assessing how Tel could improve under the Dane. Mbeumo, 25, joined the west London club in 2019 from Troyes in France's Ligue 2 and started life under Frank strongly, scoring 15 goals in 42 league appearances in his debut season before adding eight in 44 as they secured promotion to the Premier League in 2020-21. While his Championship record, particularly in his first season, demonstrated Mbeumo's goalscoring potential, there was large scope for the Cameroon international to improve in the top flight. Before a career-best season in 2024-25, Mbeumo had failed to hit double figures in his three previous seasons in the Premier League and underperformed his expected goals tally in each, indicating a wastefulness from promising positions. Last season, however, Mbeumo took a significant leap and became one of the league's most clinical finishers. He registered 20 league goals last term — one of just five players to hit that number — from an xG of 12.3, the largest overperformance in the Premier League (7.7). While Frank has justifiably taken most of the credit for Mbeumo's improvement, a considerable portion should also be handed to assistant coach Justin Cochrane, who will join Frank in the Tottenham dugout. After leaving Manchester United in June 2022 for west London, Cochrane was primarily assigned to improve Brentford's attackers, pushing Mbeumo, Wissa and Kevin Schade to another level in front of goal with finishing drills. There are promising signs Frank and Cochrane could have a similar effect on Tel. Firstly, in his first two seasons at Bayern Munich, he scored 12 goals from an xG of 6.4 — an overperformance of 5.6, which is particularly remarkable given he was aged 17 and 18. Last term was Tel's first full season where he did not record a positive xG difference (-1.7 across periods at Bayern and Spurs), but there's considerable evidence that Tel has the raw qualities in front of goal to develop into a clinical finisher. Advertisement The first step is to get Tel into goalscoring positions more consistently. When stationed on the left under Postecoglou, the 20-year-old often hugged the touchline and called for passes into feet, where he would combine with the full-back or attempt to dribble inside and create for team-mates or shoot from distance. While Mbeumo was typically listed as a right winger and defended in that position, he was directed to move inside and play on the opposition's defensive line when Brentford had attacking opportunities, allowing Wissa to drop deeper and help with the build-up. In this instance, from Brentford's 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in April, Keane Lewis-Potter breaks through the Brighton and Hove Albion press by playing a give-and-go with Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk, allowing him to break ahead of Wissa and into the midfield. Mbeumo, who had made an out-to-in movement from the right, positioned himself between the Brighton centre-backs. Lewis-Potter slid in a pass, which Mbeumo guided into his path perfectly and finished across goal. Having deputised as a striker in Germany and England, Tel has shown glimpses of his ability to create space in central positions with clever movement. Here's one example from Bayern Munich's 4-3 win over Manchester United in September 2023. Tel faked a run closer to Joshua Kimmich, bringing Casemiro further out from United's defensive block to follow him, and sprinted in the gap it created on the edge of the box. Kimmich exploited the gap, lofting a pass over Casemiro and into Tel's path, who controlled the ball and fired into the top of the net. Here's another example of Tel making space from a central position, having started the match as a striker. On this occasion, Tel is positioned on the shoulder of the central defender and spun his marker in time with Bayern defender Bouna Sarr to split the Preussen Munster defence with a line-breaking pass, putting the forward on goal. Tel sprinted on and fired into the bottom corner. Given Solanke's ability to roam from central positions and connect with the midfield, Tel's ability to move into his area and finish could be a frequent route to Spurs goals under Frank. Another area which should encourage Frank is Tel's ability to finish with both feet. Since the 2022-23 season, Tel has scored 10 open-play goals with his right and five with his left, an impressive balance and, crucially, a characteristic he shares with Mbeumo. Take this moment, for example, where Mbeumo's ability to score with both feet leads to a goal for the Cameroon international. Having moved inside from the right wing, Mbeumo lays a pass into Wissa and darts into the space between the Fulham left-back and left-sided central defender. Wissa then returns a pass to Mbeumo, who can either slide a pass into Schade or go on his own. His ability to go both ways prompts a moment of pause from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, and Mbeumo takes the ball onto his weaker right foot and scores across goal. Having the capability to go both ways is a world-class attribute Frank and Cochrane will attempt to maximise in Tel at Hotspur Way. Primarily, his two-footedness elevates his ability to score from various angles and positions, but it also increases his potential as a playmaker. In the clips below, Tel demonstrates his ability to break defensive lines with his right foot. And here… However, given his ball-striking ability with his weaker foot, there is also significant potential for improvement as a playmaker with his left. Frank is committed to improving players' strengths and weaknesses, and this is an area that could facilitate Tel's development. While it's unfair to presume Tel will immediately (or ever) reach Mbeumo's level from last season, their similarities on the pitch are striking. Neither take opposition full-backs on frequently (Tel is slightly higher at 1.57 successful take-ons per 90, compared to Mbeumo's 1.37), preferring to do their damage with moments of quality around the box. They're also varied finishers with a turn of pace that can leave defenders in the dust. It's now Frank and Cochrane's job to prepare Tel to demonstrate that quality in matches, as they did with Mbeumo. Top photo: Sebastian Frej/
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The Club World Cup Scout, Part 1: Elias Montiel – a versatile midfielder who imposes himself on games
The big storylines from the opening round of group matches at the Club World Cup were the uneven pace of play, which ranged from 'pre-season friendly' to 'World Cup final' depending on the fixture, and existentialism prompted by the awkward sight of some half-empty stadiums. On the positive side, those 16 matches over the tournament's first five days also showcased some of the sport's best young players: Juventus' Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, Oscar Gloukh of Red Bull Salzburg, Botafogo's Jair Cunha and Gonzalo Garcia of Real Madrid all scored. Advertisement Throughout the competition, The Athletic will use this series to highlight some of the rising stars you may not have noticed, giving you the lowdown on who they are, their key attributes, and what they've done to try to make sure their club are crowned champions of the world after the final on July 13. This week: Elias Montiel. Montiel is a 19-year-old midfielder who plays for Mexico's Pachuca. At 171cm (5ft 7in) tall, he is not the most daunting physical presence but is a versatile operator who loves to impose himself on games, with and without the ball. The teenager is Pachuca through and through, having progressed through their ranks rapidly, moving from the under-18s to the senior team within two years. He has since made 65 appearances for the first team, scoring twice, providing five assists and helping them win the 2023-24 Concacaf Champions Cup — their confederation's Champions League equivalent — last June, the result that qualified Pachuca for the Club World Cup. Montiel has a rare playing profile as he can operate as an individual No 6 or in a double pivot, as well as in more advanced midfield positions. He is comfortable receiving, passing and shooting with either foot. That versatility has seen him deployed as Pachuca's metronome, tasked with bringing the ball out from defence and as a box-to-box midfielder. While not the quickest, Montiel uses a combination of body feigns and side-steps to unbalance defenders, as he does below to get a shot away against MLS side Philadelphia Union in the Champions Cup's round of 16 last year. Montiel loves to win the ball back. His 3.1 tackles per 90 minutes ranked him in the top nine per cent of midfielders in the Mexican league, Liga MX, this season. He has a powerful shot on him too, as he showed when scoring against Necaxa in a 5-3 away win in April. This goal is made possible by Montiel's awareness of where to move without the ball and his unerring finish once he receives it. Pachuca lost their Club World Cup group opener, 2-1 against Austria's Red Bull Salzburg in Cincinnati on Wednesday, but Montiel's performance stood out. He completed 43 of 53 pass attempts and created two chances, while winning all five of his ground duels. As his player dashboard shows, he kept play ticking with his passes, stretched the pitch with switches and carries when possible, and made some important defensive interventions. Montiel was positioned high up the pitch to start the match, often operating just behind lone striker Salomon Rondon. That, combined with Salzburg dominating possession, meant he was crucial to his side's chance creation. One of Pachuca's best opportunities during the first half came in transition, with Montiel receiving the ball and instantly looking to find Rondon with a searching pass over the top. The Venezuela international controlled it and got a shot away, forcing a save from Christian Zawieschitzky. Later in the half, Montiel showcased his ability to read play on the fly, moving behind an opposition defender to meet a deflected cross in the box. He took two touches to control before lobbing this pass to Agustin Palavecino, who chested it down but could only send a volley into the side-netting. As half-time approached with the match still goalless, Salzburg dropped into a more compact shape, baiting Pachuca's defenders to carry the ball forward or try line-breaking passes into their midfielders. With none of Pachuca's other midfielders comfortable in receiving on the turn with the opposition waiting to pounce, Montiel signalled for Pedro Pedraza to slide over into his position on the right of the central axis, then dropped into a holding-midfield position to receive from their defence between the lines. Unfortunately, he gave the ball away shortly after, and Pachuca were caught out, with Gloukh curling in the game's first goal. Montiel was less effective in the second half, despite Pachuca enjoying more possession, as Salzburg's defensive line withdrew deeper. He could not supply the penetrative pass his side needed to find an equaliser before being substituted in the 87th minute. Montiel's willingness to snap into tackles across the pitch, while valuable, works to his detriment on occasion as he gives away cheap fouls. He is also not the most dominant in the air, unsurprising considering his height, losing both aerial duels against Salzburg, having won just 39 per cent during the 2024-25 Liga MX season. His decision-making in the final third requires fine-tuning too, but given he doesn't turn 20 until October, he has time to perfect his craft. Montiel's youth means he is yet to develop the physicality to thrive in one of Europe's top five leagues. His technical ability is sound and also constantly improving, so should he move on after the Club World Cup, a transfer to a mid-table team in the Dutch Eredivisie or Portugal's Primeira Liga, who can give him regular first-team minutes, would be valuable for his development. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every FIFA Club World Cup game for free
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Science Fair showcases local students' AI and tech innovations
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Hong Kong is rapidly emerging as a global hub for innovation and technology (I&T), with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and the cultivation of young talent. Driven by forward-thinking government strategies, the city is accelerating advancements in AI and other cutting-edge technologies and creating dynamic opportunities for the next generation of tech pioneers to build a thriving innovation ecosystem. A vital part of this trend is the organisation of I&T events that inspire and equip young minds with the tools to explore new technologies, collaborate with industry leaders, and transform bold ideas into reality. The Hong Kong Science Fair (Science Fair), organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) annually, supports the local innovation ecosystem. Returning for its fourth edition on June 28 and 29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event has become an important showcase for inventions. Professionals, academics, families, and science enthusiasts gather to explore new ideas and engage with the next wave of innovators. A launchpad for ideas The Science Fair attracts tens of thousands of visitors, offering hands-on workshops and a chance to discover 120 shortlisted student projects under the inspiring theme 'Think Big, Be Innovative.'
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Diego Luna, full of grit and hunger, is making an impression with USMNT
AUSTIN — Diego Luna looked as if he had just spent a few hours with a makeup artist for a horror film. Blood soaked his white jersey. Cotton plugs hung from his nostrils and a cut marked the point of impact by an opponent's elbow. Already with frosted hair and black-and-red neck tattoos and art up and down his arms and legs, the 21-year-old's head was now an amalgam of contour and color. It was January in Orlando, the first half of his second U.S. men's national soccer team appearance under new coach Mauricio Pochettino at a camp designed for prospects. A doctor confirmed the nose was fractured. Luna begged to stay in the friendly against Costa Rica. Pochettino consented. Within moments of returning, Luna delivered a killer pass setting up the first goal. With that, he quickly became a fan favorite — and, from all indications, a Pochettino favorite, who, in a postgame interview, said Luna's performance showed 'big balls.' It also showed the heart and character Pochettino has demanded in the long buildup to the 2026 World Cup. 'It gave me an opportunity to come back into more camps and show the type of grit and hunger I have to play and represent my country,' Luna said, reflecting on his breakthrough episode. 'It showcases what Mauricio really liked about me and I think shows other players what's needed in this team — to fight through everything.' Since then, Luna has taken a leading role among many young candidates vying for a permanent place in Pochettino's roster heading toward the World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada. On Sunday in San Jose, a dozen miles down the 101 from his hometown of Sunnyvale, California, Luna assisted on two goals as part of a 5-0 romp against Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Gold Cup opener. With that, he made a strong case to start again Thursday against Saudi Arabia in Austin. Luna's emergence comes after the veteran core let down Pochettino at the Concacaf Nations League in March by finishing last among four teams. By both choice and circumstance, the Argentine-born coach opted for a less experienced squad in the Gold Cup. Luna is not, by any means, the answer to all of Pochettino's problems. For a stocky, 5-foot-8 midfielder in his fourth season with MLS's Real Salt Lake, there is a big difference between thriving against lightweight foes in a regional tournament and, say, Germany in the World Cup. But Luna has injected energy and desire — not to mention an above-average skill-set — into the lineup. 'What he's done is what I expect all younger players and new guys who come to camp to do, which is take the opportunity when you get it,' veteran defender Walker Zimmerman said. 'Diego is the perfect example of someone who's done that the first three camps this year. And now, as you start to get a little bit of a taste, it's about you want more.' Luna credits Pochettino with granting him the freedom to express himself on the field. 'I play my best when I'm happy, when I'm just enjoying it, free, having fun out there, you know?' he said. 'People get lost in it with the pressure, the stress, wanting to perform all the time. You've just got to relax and let it be. You work hard, you train on a daily basis to improve, so when it comes to those performance times, just let it happen and you have the quality to do it.' A large tattoo on his left calf epitomizes his ethos: It's of the Joker, from Batman films, saying, 'Why so serious?' He is running out of space for more art. 'I have room on my back,' he said, smiling. Among other tattoos are ones honoring his parents, Beto and Susana, and his 21-month-old son, Manolo. Luna is the youngest of four siblings. His parents emigrated from Mexico's Michoacán state. Before coaching youth players, including Diego, Beto was a pro with the San Diego Sockers and Milwaukee Wave indoor teams and the San Jose Earthquakes, of the Western Soccer Alliance, in the years between the North American Soccer League's demise in 1985 and MLS's launch in '96. 'The grit and the hunger I have within me is just from my dad, growing up, always playing [in an older age group] against stronger, faster kids, getting knocked down all the time,' Luna said. 'Play with my older siblings, always being kind of bullied on the field. It's allowed me to build that strength and continue to fight and get mad and push through tough times when things aren't really going my way.' After competing in the Earthquakes academy, 15-year-old Luna moved on his own to Arizona to join a youth system sponsored by FC Barcelona. That led, at 17, to a contract with El Paso Locomotive in the second-division USL Championship. A tattoo on his right arm is a reminder of his solo journey: 'Loneliness is my worst enemy, but in the end, he's usually my only real friend.' Luna explained: 'I moved away at a young age. I never really had a lot of friends. So being alone all the time was something I had to get used to, something that was part of me. I liked being alone.' When his talents took him to Real Salt Lake three summers ago, Luna realized he needed to work on breaking out of his shell. Aside from therapy and church, he took a part-time job as a barista. A few days a week for eight or nine months, he left the training grounds and rotate between two coffee shops in Sandy, Utah, where RSL's stadium is located. 'I needed to meet new people and get out of my comfort zone,' he said. 'It was eye contact and conversation and bringing positive vibes. That was something I struggled with. I didn't know how to talk to people. It allowed me to express myself and communicate.' Word got around among RSL fans. He would ask their name for their order; they would request his autograph. Luna's popularity took off in 2024. He made his U.S. debut under then-coach Gregg Berhalter in a January friendly, then enjoyed an MLS season with eight goals and 12 assists. He was named an all-star and MLS's young player of the year. In the middle of the season, Olympic Coach Marko Mitrovic left him off the Paris-bound squad, which featured mostly players 23 and under. Hurt by the omission, Luna declined an offer to become an alternate. Days later, Luna posted a goal and three assists in an RSL match. At the time, RSL Coach Pablo Mastroeni said Mitrovic's decision was like 'poking the bear.' Reflecting this week, Luna said: 'It was a bump in the road. I thought I was doing everything right. It opened up a new level in me and to see maybe I wasn't doing enough.' For a spell, Luna explored the possibility of representing Mexico. 'I'm proud to be Mexican, of course, but to play with the U.S. is where I am right now,' he said, 'and I'm happy here.' Given his journey, Luna does not take the U.S. opportunity for granted. 'Just being in that national team pool is already crazy,' he said. 'Now it's about what I am doing every single day to make sure I'm at my best in the right mindset when I get the chance to perform.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Golfer, 14, from Staffordshire wins amateur championship
A 14-year-old has become the youngest golfer to win the Staffordshire Amateur Turner from Trentham, near Stoke-on Trent, managed to shoot the course at Sandwell Park Golf Club in 66, the same as the course record and five under teenage golfer has been playing golf since he was five years old, and by 12 was driving balls 230 now has his sights set on his future and wants to be the youngest ever to qualify for The Open Championship, held this July at Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The 14-year-old says he aims to be like Rory McIlroy and also has dreams of playing alongside him in the Ryder with BBC Radio Stoke he said: "When you've got people wanting you to do well it drives you to practice and not to give up when its going hard for you".The teenager practices every day before school, going to the driving range at 06:15 BST to do a full session, as well as the talking about what got him hooked on golf he said: "When you're hitting it [the ball] further than them [adults] and you are half their age, it's quite funny."Alfie's father, James Turner, often acts as caddy for his son and feels nervous on behalf of him."I can't show it [nerves] but golf is brutal," he Turner also feels "immensely proud" of what his son has achieved. He added: "He's [Alfie] still really proves it on the golf course that he can cope with playing against men."Alfie doesn't let the fact that he is competing with adults affect him."They try to get into my head, it doesn't work though."I think I'm going to have you here", he is now set to take part in regional qualifying at Enville in Stourbridge on Monday for The Open, where he will face 132 other competitors that will eventually be whittled down to a final eight. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
