With reports that Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a season-long loan deal for Georges-Kevin N’Koudou with German Bundesliga side Mainz coming through on Wednesday, some Spurs fans are less than impressed.
Exclusive: #Tottenham have agreed to let Georges-Kevin N’Koudou join German club #Mainz on a season-long loan. Not definite he will to there yet though. #thfc Full story shortly. More on #ssn too.
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 15, 2018
Sky Sports ran the original claim and I covered it previously Here.
To save overly repeating myself, the basic claim was that we had agreed a deal for a loan spell for the 23-year-old former Marseille player, but N’Koudou himself was yet to make his mind up on whether or not to accept the move. It was further suggested that talks continued over the potential for a permanent clause to be inserted into the loan if he subsequently agrees.
With no incoming signings before the closure of the permanent transfer window this month, and with some doubts hanging over the heads of others at the club when it comes to their futures given ongoing speculation, some fans on social media voiced their concerns that we would simply be denying ourselves an attacking option if the deal was ultimately sanctioned.
Squads small enough with injuries ridiculous move
— We’ve got a cheeseroom (@rich20101982) August 15, 2018
Stupid move. Even less strength in the ranks. He is a good player and deserves more !
— James Davies (@JamesDavies4) August 15, 2018
Awesome weaken squad even more! Don’t play much but could play and improve! Going well so far
— Nick Homewood (@Nickyh_yiddo) August 15, 2018
Sad to let GKN go 🙁
— Gareth McCarter (@g2mcc) August 15, 2018
Others were quick to point out existing options and potential fresh challenges from our Academy ranks given N’Koudou has hardly impressed at the club following his arrival, and he didn’t take anything by storm during his spell at Burnley either, even if he is talented.
Some gambles don’t come off and this one hasn’t for us so a fresh start and greater opportunities for others is probably the best solution as he’s only a fringe player at best anyway.