Ange Postecoglou's new Tottenham partnership forming at the perfect time for Europa League glory

Mathys Tel could be in line for a fifth successive start on Thursday evening when Tottenham host Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League. and that looks set to play into Tel's hands as Spurs attempt to gain an advantage going into next week's second leg in Norway.

The Frenchman has certainly not set the world alight since joining Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich but he has looked much sharper and better for an increase in pitch time of late. The 20-year-old did more than play his part in the Europa League win at Eintracht Frankfurt last time out as he contributed both in defence and attack to Spurs recording a memorable victory in Germany.

In his following game at home to Nottingham Forest, . As things stand at present, he has three goals in 14 appearances for Tottenham since joining from Bayern Munich.

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However, his most important contribution to date could just be around the corner. Tottenham have six games in the campaign remaining, with a seventh added to the calendar if they reach the Europa League final, and that gives the player ample time to strengthen his case for a permanent transfer to N17.

As part of the loan agreement with Bayern, Tottenham have the option to sign the France Under-21 international for £45.7million in the summer if they so wish. Whether they do or not in the months ahead remains to be seen.

does have plenty of options when it comes to the wide areas in his team on Thursday evening amid the absence of Son. Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Mikey Moore are all available to the head coach in addition to .

Postecoglou's past four team selections would seem to suggest that the loanee will be his choice on the left. Another start for Tel will give him the chance to build on the relationship he is currently forming with .

As Tottenham's No.10 operates on the left side of the pitch for Spurs, he has the opportunity to link up with Tel and try and influence things in the final third as they look to shoot the team to Europa League glory. and he was asked about Tel's development and whether he would pay the required money to sign him permanently.

"I haven't got £45million," quipped the attacking midfielder. "He's been very good since he's come in, I think. When he first came in, we had a few injuries, so he was playing as a No.9 and he's played off the left as well.

"Direct player. He's got good feet and he's very tricky. He can definitely be someone who scores goals. Sometimes you see wide players who are goalscorers and wide players who are one-v-one specialists. The top players have both. I think he's definitely a goalscorer, he can be a threat. And I think he's done well.

"He hasn't played an awful amount but recently he's been in the team more. For myself playing from that left side of midfield in central, we've grown a little bit more of a relationship and understanding of what kind of player he is. I know Sonny, I know what Sonny's going to do there, what I expect from him. I think that's grown with Matty off the left. I think there's a real good player there."

Goals are going to prove crucial on Thursday evening and the hope will be that Tel can contribute to that as Tottenham look to seize the initiative in the first leg. Amid the question marks surrounding who he will be playing for come August, Tel may have three opportunities to write his name in Spurs folklore as the team target a Europa League triumph in Bilbao this month.

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