Tottenham loan report: Fazio, Njie and Bentaleb

With a mentality that favors in-house development and orients toward youth, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham have little practical use for the loan system as its traditionally used.

He evidently sees little to no value in the experience lent to younger players as a result of serving with other clubs. He would rather them train with the first team for a season than feature as a starter in League Two.

And so, since his arrival at Tottenham, Pochettino has essentially used the loan system as a clearing house. Players considered outside his plans — or simply not good enough — find themselves at clubs that Spurs hope will see fit to sign them at season’s end.

Last summer’s three recruits for loan duty were Nabil Bentaleb, Clinton Njie and Federico Fazio — himself just returned from a loan to Sevilla in 2015/16.

Of the three, Bentaleb was perhaps the most surprising. He had been with the first team since 2014, and even served as a regular starter for most of Pochettino’s first season at the club.

Injury and a dip in form forced him out to the periphery however. Even at only 21, it seemed as if Bentaleb’s young career was in danger of drying up.

More from Tottenham News

• Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
• Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
• Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
• Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
• Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help

With the player clearly anxious for playing time and the rise of Eric Dier more or less excluding him from Tottenham’s starting XI, the clear next best option was a loan — even if that loan ended up becoming permanent.

And so the Academy graduate moved to Schalke. The Bundesliga saw fit to give him the number 10 and immediately gave him starts. In short order, the Algerian began to repay his new club’s faith.

He made 28 starts for Schalke, scoring five goals and assisting five more. Such numbers belie his true influence though as a midfield playmaker/destroyer. He was a vital component of a side that was slowly attempting to rebuild itself around younger players.

Bentaleb was so good, in fact, that by February Schalke knew they didn’t need to see anything more. They triggered the clause in Bentaleb’s contract to make the deal permanent, and Tottenham were duly compensated to the tune of over £15 million. 

Njie’s story was a bit different than Bentaleb’s. He’d only just arrived at the club in the summer of 2015, but had been given sparingly few attempts over his first season with Spurs. Injury complicated matters, admittedly, but it was clear by the end of the season that Pochettino had his doubts.

The Cameroonian international would return to France, where he’d previously played for Lyon — though now he would be part of a resurgent Marseille side.

Just as at Spurs, though, Njie found him opportunities thin. The ascent of Florian Thauvin, the arrival of Dimitri Payet, among other factors, all conspired to keep Njie out of the starting XI. He would still make 11 starts for the club, scoring four goals and setting up another, but it might not be enough to convince the historic side to make the move permanent.

Finally, there’s the case of Fazio. An unusual survivor of the purges that followed Pochettino’s arrival, it was never clear where the Argentine centre-back fit at Spurs. He was too slow for every day use, though his height and physicality came in use against specific opponents. Pochettino needed men he could consistently rely on though, and Fazio simply wasn’t that player.

Approaching 30, it seemed as if Fazio’s career might simply be over. As one last shot, though, the club sent him on loan to Roma, who were re-stocking in yet another attempt to de-throne Juventus from atop Serie A.

Next: Tottenham Player Review: And All the Rest

It turns out that the Italian games’ slower pace and emphasis on positioning worked in Fazio’s favor. He made 35 starts for Luciano Spalletti’s side, helping to earn a historic points haul for the club even if they failed to overtake Juventus.

The Argentine’s age might work against him, but his rejuvenation at the Giallorossi this season seems set to guarantee him a permanent move.

In all, it was a successful season for Tottenham’s senior loanees, even if it seems likely that Njie will be returning to the club.