IKENWA NNABUOGOR urges Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr not to waste time to get Southampton midfielder Nathan Tella into his team…
The name Tella races to people’s mind as having a connection with the late former Golden Eaglets U17 World Cup-winning coach, Yemi Tella.
But this Tella is no relation to the departed cadet team handler, he is a brand-new fresh pair of legs currently proving his fast rising star status in the Premier League with Southampton.
Born to Nigerian parents in Stevenage, England in July 5, 1999, Nathan Adewale Temitayo Tella, is currently running things in the left and side of Southampton midfield, grabbing all the headlines and heading to greater things.
Tella has not been capped at all at any level for England thus making it easier to get him over to the Super Eagles team who have struggled even against less illustrious countries since winning bronze for a record eighth time at 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Tella and Nigeria have nothing to lose as he’s largely expected to walk into the less impressive Eagles’ midfield that has been starved of grit and competitiveness.
Tella is playing his second season in England’s highest after he distinguished himself the U18 Premier League and the Premier League 2 Division for Arsenal, Norwich City, Reading and Southampton junior teams, respectively.
Tella’s breath-taking and searing pace in the Austrian coach Ralph Hasenhüttl side has not gone unnoticed as the 21 year star continues to disorganize defences to help his port city side to a number of victories in the Premier League as bigger spenders are watching with keen interest.
His 10th consecutive league appearance against Sheffield United wasn’t any different from his brilliant self, teasing the Sheffield United defence endlessly and getting upended in the vital area for a well-deserved Southampton opener in a Week 27 clash at Bramall Lane.
Tella isn’t looking like one who’s slowing down yet and could continue those exciting runs and quick interchange of passes in the Eagles midfield that has not seen creativity and mobility in recent times, if he’s added to the national team.
Comfortable with both legs with the complementing quick pace and trickery, Tella will certainly bring something new in the Eagles midfield.
Grabbing him over won’t be anything complicating and knotty for the apex soccer authority NFF as rigours of switching nationality and awaiting FIFA’s approval are not applicable.
Reports in the past had suggested Tella caught the eye of Rohr and the Franco-German had penciled him down.
The time is now – there’s absolutely no time to waste to have Tella wear the colours of his roots, though the final decision will be his to determine where his heart will be.
It’s also not flattering for the youngster to wish to roar with the Three Lions judging by his superlative performances for Southampton, but that will take a whole of guts for England handler Gareth Southgate to hand him a place in the star-studded England side.
But things can also happen fast for Tella should he fix his eyes on the England team, so before that will happen Rohr and NFF must cash in on this golden chance to land this impressive youngster.
Reading FC’s duo of Michael Olise and Ovie Ejaria, Fulham’s ex-England youth teamer Ademola Lookman as well as Glasgow Rangers’ left back Calvin Bassey Ughelumba are currently on Eagles’ radar, having got the nod from NFF and Rohr to switch.
Adding Tella to this list will perfectly change things in the Eagles and get it lively and moving again just like the good old days of Henry Nwosu, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha and Mikel Obi.
Tella will surely make a huge impact for the Super Eagles and he should jump at this chance.
