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Super Eagles star Nathan Tella has claimed that he does not understand why he is being played out of position in Bayer Leverkusen.
Tella has made an impact by contributing 11 goals in 39 all-competition appearances, which helped the Black and Reds win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.
However, he has had difficulty finding playing time this season, which has impacted his call-up to the national squad.
The Nigerian international cost an estimated 23 million euros to go from Southampton to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023.
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I was one step away - Super Eagles' Nathan Tella happy to return to Arsenal that rejected him at 18 as a champion
Nigeria Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella and Bayer Leverkusen are guests at the Emirates seven years after Arsenal rejected the academy graduate.
Tella speaks on playing out of position
Tella has revealed that he can play other positions on the field but playing as a wing-back is not his calling.
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The midfielder told German daily BILD, "I had to play as a full-back. That's a part of the game that I don't fully understand yet. But I'm trying to learn, to improve, and everyone knows that.
"I've always said that I'm an attacker. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm a full-back. But when you play in a team like this, where there are no clear wingers, you have to make sacrifices and do what's best for the team.
"And when I play as a full-back, I do it as well as I can. When I play further forward - which I prefer, then I also do my best.”
The Nigerian, who plays a similar role to Jeremie Frimpong, was selected in the starting lineup for both the 4-1 victory against TSG Hoffenheim last month and the Supercup match against VfB Stuttgart.
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Despite his versatility as a forward, attacking midfielder, and second striker, Tella has admitted that playing wing-back is his least favourite position.
Meanwhile, Nathan Tella has also said that he is annoyed by Bayer Leverkusen because he doesn't get enough playing time.
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