When will Cristian Tello make his LAFC debut?
The one-time Spanish international completed his first week of training with the MLS side and could make his debut against FC Dallas.
Cristian Tello is the latest star to arrive in Major League Soccer and he is ready to make his debut with Los Angeles Football Club against FC Dallas on 10 September at Toyota stadium. The one-time Spanish international completed his first week of training with the MLS side and he is eligible for selection for Saturday’s match.
“His integration process has been very, very easy on the field,” LAFC’s manager Steve Cherundolo said on Friday. “Now the immigration process is completed, and he can help us in game situations. We feel very comfortable with putting him in and him having an impact.”
Tello will fight for starting role
The 31-year-old was signed before the end of the summer transfer window and he will have to fight for a starting role with five games left in the regular season. Tello will have to compete for minutes with Cristian Arango, LAFC’s leading scorer with 15, Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale, Denis Bouanga, Kwadwo Opoku and Danny Musovski.
“It’s an important challenge. I’m joining a club that has many top-level players, like all the big clubs have,” said Tello. “The goal is to work my hardest so that the coach sees that I’m physically fit and I can take the step into the starting XI and play my part.”
Tello signed with LAFC for the remainder of the current season and the club has the option to extend his stay through 2023 and 2024. The ‘Black & Gold’ became the first team in MLS to clinch the playoffs this campaign and they are fighting to win the Supporters’ Shield.