Georges-Kevin NKoudou cannot get in the Tottenham team because Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t rate him, according to a reliable journalist.
Football London’s Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold claimed in a question-and-answer blog on Friday (3.29pm) that the big-name 2016 summer signing is likely to be loaned out next month ahead of a permanent exit next summer.
The French winger, 22, signed for Spurs for £11million from Marseille but has never really made an impact on the senior team, with most of his 21 appearances across all competitions coming as a substitute.
Asked why NKoudou is ignored by Pochettino, Gold replied: “He’s wanted more from the Frenchman since he joined in 2016, but he’s just not giving enough in training or matches to justify getting anywhere near the first team.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Nkoudou is loaned out next month and I’d be shocked if he’s still here next season.”
NKoudou has played just four times this season and has not once been named in the starting line-up despite long-term absences for the likes of Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama.
OPINION
The message from Pochettino is strong and clear; NKoudou is nowhere near good enough to be in his team. This doesn’t mean he lacks ability – his sheer pace marks him out as a threat and he is a decent dribbler – but his lack of work rate is a major issue. Moreover, his touch, passing, combination play, game awareness, tactical understanding, you name it, are far from the level required for a player to shine in Pochettino’s squad. The manager’s decision to publicly criticise the player in his newly-published autobiography is telling. He is clearly tearing his hair out that the message is not getting through, and there appears to be an attitude problem beneath the surface. NKoudou has not cut it in the 16 months since his arrival for an £11million fee that looks more dubious as each day goes by. And, the sad fact is for the Spurs faithful, he never will.