Niels Nkounkou: Season Loan completed.

[Eggs]

….with a lack of cover at LB, I’d be very surprised if Lampard doesn’t at least have a good look at him in pre-season. Mykolenko has his frailties at both ends of the pitch & it’s not beyond reason that Nkounkou could force his way into the team.

its a position we’re weak in and Lampard’s arrival is a great opportunity for the lad.

 

[Sadken]

Sometimes a player can have a bad loan spell and come back to the club and do fine. Jonjoe Kenny didn't do great at celtic but then came back to us this season and has been fantastic

?

 

[Lanolin]

Apparently the loan was going well until a couple of months ago rumours came out that we wanted him back in the summer.

Then it seems the media felt that he began putting in less effort in the knowledge that he was coming back.

Protecting himself from injury?

I would imagine he fully expected to be coming back all along so hard to believe that really. I hope it's not true because if it is it's a sign of an absolutely terrible attitude.

 

[Eggs]

Apparently the loan was going well until a couple of months ago rumours came out that we wanted him back in the summer.

Then it seems the media felt that he began putting in less effort in the knowledge that he was coming back.

Protecting himself from injury?

…doubt that, Zat. It’s a long old season and it’s difficult for youngsters to hold their form over the course of it. If a player wants to protect himself from injury, they invariably get injured, I think that will be the last thing on his mind. Also, we have no idea if there are issues within the club or he has problems elsewhere.

 

[neil999]

Started 18 games so cant have been horrendous

 

[Simon Buttle]

I would imagine he fully expected to be coming back all along so hard to believe that really. I hope it's not true because if it is it's a sign of an absolutely terrible attitude.

Very suspect defensively which is why he got dropped towards the end of the Belgian season according to reports.

 

[Tony’s Carp]

I would imagine he fully expected to be coming back all along so hard to believe that really. I hope it's not true because if it is it's a sign of an absolutely terrible attitude.

Yes, it was a loan without option so it isn't a case of us wanting him back or him finding out he was coming back - that was always the position. So take anything about an attitude change with a pinch of salt.

That said, not sure how high our hopes should be for the guy - Carlo didn't fancy him, Benitez didn't fancy him and in order to be a potential Premier League player he should be making an impression in Belgium. It doesn't sound like he's been setting their league on fire.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

Very suspect defensively which is why he got dropped towards the end of the Belgian season according to reports.

One good game against Fleetwood Town where he had zero defensive responsibility and he's a shoe in to replace Mykolenko apparently!

I think the lad looks more of a wingback than a fullback.

Looks good going forward but as you say supposedly a poor defender.

 

[Bluestar]

Sometimes a player can have a bad loan spell and come back to the club and do fine. Jonjoe Kenny didn't do great at celtic but then came back to us this season and has been fantastic

Fantastic!

Steady on there. He has been adequate for a backup right back.

 

[Bluestar]

Apparently the loan was going well until a couple of months ago rumours came out that we wanted him back in the summer.

Then it seems the media felt that he began putting in less effort in the knowledge that he was coming back.

Protecting himself from injury?

That figures.

 

[Joey66]

He should have never gone out on loan - purely financial decisions like all our other loanees just to save cash - yet we hold on to deadbeats on higher wages?

 

[Eggs]

Fantastic!

Steady on there. He has been adequate for a backup right back.

…I’d actually challenge that opinion. I think he’s been totally inadequate.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Started 18 games so cant have been horrendous

Played the full 90 mins in 13 out of a possible 34 games and more recently was not being picked at all.

 

[Eggs]

He should have never gone out on loan - purely financial decisions like all our other loanees just to save cash - yet we hold on to deadbeats on higher wages?

…Benitez didn’t like his FBs crossing the half-way line, so he had no chance (as we saw with Digne).

Nkounkou has some stride and power breaking from the back, he looked unstoppable on occasion. His style might just suit Lampard.

 

[Zatara]

I would imagine he fully expected to be coming back all along so hard to believe that really. I hope it's not true because if it is it's a sign of an absolutely terrible attitude.

…doubt that, Zat. It’s a long old season and it’s difficult for youngsters to hold their form over the course of it. If a player wants to protect himself from injury, they invariably get injured, I think that will be the last thing on his mind. Also, we have no idea if there are issues within the club or he has problems elsewhere.

Just a couple of reports I read a month or so ago when the media reported that the club were keen to bring him back into the fold for preseason.

Played the full 90 mins in 13 out of a possible 34 games and more recently was not being picked at all.

3 starts and 90mins each in march.
1 sub appearance and 90mins last weekend.

Its his first full season of football ever I think so probably needed a rest. Who knows...

I think he would be good to have in the squad as a wing back and backup to Mykolenko at full back.

Hes been playing mostly at full back and some appearances at wing back and left midfield for Liege.

I liked the look of him and Lampard plays a more attacking style which could suit him.

Only turned 21 last November so lots of potential there.