Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella made his 100th appearance for the club in their 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Köln at the BayArena on Saturday. The 26-year-old Nigerian provided the assist for Patrik Schick's second goal, helping secure three points in the derby clash. After the match, Tella received a commemorative plaque from the club in recognition of his milestone.
Tella has been with Leverkusen since 2021, contributing to their unbeaten Bundesliga title campaign three seasons ago. Last season, he recorded four goals and five assists across 39 appearances. This season, injuries limited his involvement, but he has recently returned to consistent action.
Despite fitness setbacks, Leverkusen extended Tella's contract to 2031, dismissing transfer speculation. His recent performances have shown signs of resurgence under manager Xabi Alonso. Leverkusen are sixth in the league, two points from a Champions League spot.
On the international front, Tella has not featured for the Super Eagles under coach Eric Chelle, despite making his debut in 2023. With limited club minutes affecting his national team prospects, Tella aims to regain form ahead of Nigeria's June friendlies.
Tella reaches 100 appearances for Leverkusen while still seeking a single minute under Nigeria's current coach. His contract extension to 2031 contrasts sharply with his absence from the Super Eagles setup. If consistent play is the price of national relevance, Tella may be running a race where club and country are not on the same track. His form in Germany now matters more than ever for any chance of a call-up.
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