Clinton N’Jie’s Role with Tottenham Hotspur is Dependent on Nacer Chadli and Heung-Min Son’s Injuries
Tottenham must be patient with Clinton N’Jie’s progress.
It would be obvious that based on Nacer Chadli’s injury that Tottenham’s first offensive player signed in the summer, Clinton N’Jie, would be a starter for the next four to six weeks. Eventually this would happen in Spurs’ Europa League clash with R.S.C. Anderlecht at striker though. However, N’Jie would abruptly be pulled out in the 59th minute and replaced by Harry Kane who not only didn’t start the game, but was sitting on the bench as a precaution due to a minor knock that he picked up against Liverpool.
If the Cameroon international wasn’t able to grab a starting spot moving forward following his performance yesterday, and he didn’t impress after earning his first official start in a Tottenham shirt. Then it would make sense that he wouldn’t be a starter anymore, or at all, despite Chadli’s ankle injury.
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With that said though, N’Jie is currently trying to learn a new offense on the fly. He signed on August 15, the day of Spurs’ second Premier League fixture of the 2015-16 season against Stoke City at home, and wasn’t able to play in the pre-season. It’s not an excuse, but rather a fact. A fact, that it takes time to come into a new team, new environment and learn a new role than you’re unaccustomed to.
There are instances however, in which certain players can just pick up a new offense/role with a new team in a new environment (Heung-Min Son is a good example for Spurs). But in Clinton N’Jie’s case, he might be someone who takes time to adapt to his new surroundings, but will do his best when given a chance.
This season, the 22-year-old striker-turned-left midfielder has appeared in seven games as a substitute for under 30 minutes each time, since coming over from Olympique Lyonnais in a £12.2 million move where he was a part-time starter alongside Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette. As is, this means that Clinton N’Jie is right at home because he’s playing as a super sub even if he used to be a spot starter.
But just like when Kieran Trippier was signed in the summer with the hope that he would start over Kyle Walker. Clinton N’Jie was thought to be a replacement for Nacer Chadli. So far, that isn’t the case. Instead, N’Jie only being able to get a super sub role is because Tottenham has plenty of attacking options to choose from.
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Last season Nacer Chadli did well to warrant keeping his job after producing a fine season: 45 appearances, 13 goals, 5 assists and racking up 2,929 minutes in all competitions. The same thing can be said for Christian Eriksen, in that he’s a regular starter in Mauricio Pochettino’s offense.
As for Heung-Min Son, after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in a £22 million transfer and excelling at an accelerated pace — his start against Qarabağ FK certainly helped — Son had to be added to the lineup too. When including a revitalized Érik Lamela and Harry Kane, despite his form, all three attacking midfield positions and the striker spot are all filled up.
Because of this, Clinton N’Jie isn’t necessarily being brought in slowly. He has found a role with the team, coming off of the bench. It would be ideal for him to eventually start over Nacer Chadli, but with a majority of his appearances as a substitute, it’ll be a while. Chadli being injured is a blessing (unfortunately) and the only way that N’Jie — assuming no one starts in front of him against Bournemouth this Sunday — will be playing in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven.
Until then, patience must be exuded from Tottenham’s part to see if N’Jie could be a potential starter down the road for the team. If he can’t start with Nacer Chadli injured, N’Jie definitely won’t start once Heung-Min Son returns. Because Christian Eriksen will move over to left midfield while Son reclaims his position as the attacking midfield role in Mauricio Pochettino’s offense.
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