'He did well' - Bayer Leverkusen defender assesses the performance of Tella in centre forward role

Bayer Leverkusen central defender Jonathan Tah refused to criticize the performance of Nathan Tella during the club's Bundesliga clash against St. Pauli last weekend. 

Manager Xabi Alonso deployed Tella as a center forward with Victor Boniface sidelined by an injury he suffered on international duty and Patrik Schick absent due to a calf problem.

Tella found the net twice in the 2-1 win against St. Pauli, but the goals were disallowed—one for offside and the other for a foul on Manolis Saliakas.

The Nigeria international is familiar with the center forward position, having played there during his loan spell at Burnley, where he scored 17 goals in 39 Championship games.

Although capable of playing multiple attacking positions, Tella is most often used as a right winger.

If Schick is not deemed fit for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan, Tella is one of the alternatives being considered for a striking role, alongside Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz.

"I don't know how often he has played as a single centre forward. We have played with him and Amine Adli from time to time, but not with him alone. He did well," Tah was quoted as saying by Kicker.

"Of course, in some phases and moments we lack a clear centre forward, but we just have to deal with it at the moment."

Tella made his full Champions League debut against Stade Brestois in October and has appeared as a substitute in three other games in the competition.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: bayer04.de

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