Pacey Liverpool and Arsenal target Christia Tello leaves door open to possible transfer in the summer

Cristian Tello

Just two months after signing a contract extension through to 2018, Cristian Tello has hinted that he may be ready to leave Barcelona in search of more playing time.

“Right now I am very happy, but next year we’ll see,” he said to Spanish paper Sport.

There was a lot of interest in the 22-year-old this summer, but he rejected all overtures, choosing instead to focus on breaking into Barcelona’s first-team.

With him still struggling to do so, there are suggestions that Liverpool may be on alert. Arsenal are among his suitors as well, and given their lack of activity this summer, may rekindle their interest. But how would he improve either side?

The Spain international plays primarily on the flanks, using his blistering pace to cause endless problems for the opposition. He would be asked to play the same positions should he join either of the English clubs.

He loves running at opponents with the ball, using his pace in combination with a few skill moves to get the beating of them. He attempted an average of 3.3 take-ons per game last season. So far this season, he has attempted around two take-ons per game.

Typical of a Spanish and Barcelona player, he is technically-gifted, comfortable in possession, something which no doubt appeals to both Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers–managers whose philosophies mirror that of the La Liga champions.

Preferring to keep his passes short, judging by his average pass length of 15 metres last season and 12 metres so far this campaign, Tello helps his midfield retain possession as they spread the ball around their opponents’ half looking for a way through their defence.

He likes to lay the ball off to nearby team-mates before sprinting down the flank to get into space ahead to collect the return pass.

Cristian Tello total chances created (this season)

Cristian Tello chances created (last season)

Though generally direct in his wing-play, he is more than just a ‘beat-the-defender-and-cross’ type of winger. Aside from crossing, he can create chances for his team-mates by picking a decent through ball.

He created an average of just about one chance per game last season, recording four assists. This season, he has created four chances in his six appearances, despite starting just two of those six games.

Still, after getting two assists in his last league game versus Real Valladolid, he has already matched half that tally. Looking at the visualisations above, it’s clear that Tello is very dangerous when cutting inside.

Cristian Tello shot accuracy (this season)

Christian Tello shot accuracy last season

Tello can be trusted to finish too. Averaging 1.3 shots per game last season, he had an impressive shot accuracy of 50%, netting seven league goals, boasting an excellent conversion rate of 25%. So far this season he is averaging one shot per game, but though he hasn’t scored yet, it’s only a matter of time.

The reason for saying that? Note the placement of his shots, how they are aimed mostly toward the corners of the goalmouth. This isn’t a coincidence. When Tello takes his shots, he is purposely aiming for the corners, knowing that shots directed in those areas are harder for the ‘keeper to save.

His general accuracy together with his great placement means that he would provide a steady goal return season after season, making him an even more attractive prospective signing. But how would he fit in at either Arsenal or Liverpool?

At Arsenal, Wenger has already needed to shuffle the deck a bit in order to accommodate club-record signing Mesut Ozil. The German, in addition to playing in his favoured No.10 role, can play out wide in Tello’s positions and has already done so.

Aaron Ramsey has also played out wide, as have Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. With the Spaniard, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Theo Walcott waiting to return from injury and young Serge Gnabry breaking through together with Ryo Miyachi, it’s difficult to see how Tello would get his wish of regular game time at the Emirates.

At Liverpool, meanwhile, Rodgers has changed his system to a 3-4-1-2 in order to accommodate both Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez in the starting lineup. Their understanding is gradually developing, and Rodgers is no doubt keen to not disturb their progress. But he would have a better chance of accommodating Tello than Wenger, and he can do so without tweaking things too much.

He can simply switch to a 3-4-3 from the current 3-4-1-2. Tello could play on the left-flank, while Suarez could take back up the roaming right forward role he thrived in at Ajax, leaving Sturridge in his favoured role through the middle.

By playing on the left, Rodgers can take advantage not only of Tello’s ability to pick a pass, but his precise shooting when cutting inside onto his stronger right foot. Tello would add even more depth to Liverpool’s attack and provide stiff competition for the likes of Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, and Victor Moses.

We’ve seen talented young players leave Barcelona in order to forge meaningful careers elsewhere. Thiago Alcantara is the most recent example, though injury his hindering his progress at Bayern Munich at the moment.

With Tello likely to be next, whoever gets him — be it Arsenal, Liverpool, or another club, they won’t regret it.